For the love of the game: Former state champion still playing – thousands of miles away
December 13, 2017
Breakaway Barge
December 13, 2017
Coming into the 2017-18 season, Nicholls State University men’s basketball coach Richie Riley expected his depth chart to be almost exclusively filled by upperclassmen.
It’s no big surprise.
The Colonels have nine seniors and are one of the most experienced teams in the entire Southland Conference.
But as practices started, an undersized true freshman started to catch Riley’s eye, so much so that he’s now in the Colonels’ starting lineup – earning praise as a guy who can maybe be one of the best to ever play at Nicholls.
True freshman guard Kevin Johnson is making big waves in his first season at Nicholls, starting the season as a reserve, but now working his way into the starting lineup.
Riley said he expected Johnson to redshirt this season, but added that the E.D. White graduate has earned everything he’s been given since joining the team.
To date, Johnson is averaging 5.4 points, 3.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game, while also developing into a role as one of the team’s best defenders and most selfless players.
“When we got him, I didn’t think he’d play much early,” Riley said. “We were very high on him and thought he’d be a great four-or-five-year program player, but we didn’t think he’d be able to get on the court early on. But he’s come in, he’s worked hard and he’s earned it. Nothing has been given to him. He’s a great kid. He’s quickly developed and adapted and he’s one of my favorite young guys that I’ve ever coached. Kevin gets it and we think he will get better and better. He has a chance to come in and be one of the best players in the history of this program.”
For Johnson, hardwood stardom is nothing new.
He grew up as a standout in the Biddy Basketball ranks, then aged into a role on E.D. White’s roster.
As a Cardinal, Johnson was a multi-year starter and a dynamite talent, which earned him his attention from colleges around the Southeast.
In high school, Johnson was the District 8-3A MVP, as well as a First-Team All-State selection. He also led the Cardinals to the Class 3A, then the Division II State Playoffs in his junior and senior seasons, helping E.D. White establish themselves as one of the top teams in the area in each of those years.
He chose Nicholls over interest and offers from other programs around the area.
Riley said he wanted Johnson because he liked his toughness and his ability to distribute the ball and defend multiple positions, despite his smaller frame.
Johnson said he picked Nicholls because it was in his backyard – the place he felt most at home.
“This was where I wanted to be,” Johnson said when he signed his scholarship with Nicholls. “I feel home here and I like the style they play and I like the vibe I get from Coach Riley. It’s all-around just a great thing and it was the best decision for myself and my family.”
The early playing time is lagniappe.
When Johnson got to Nicholls, he appeared to be locked out of playing time for at least a season because of the team’s loaded depth chart filled with guards and athletic wings.
Riley said he projected the freshman to be a redshirt in 2017-18 or a fringe contributor, but once practices began, that changed.
“He grew on us right away,” Riley said.
Johnson got into the rotation to start the season and was the team’s lead reserve for the first several games.
Since that time, his role has grown even more and Johnson is now a starter who plays the majority of the game.
He’s scored nine points three times this season, but the points are just a small fraction of what he brings to the team.
Johnson is among the team leaders in steals, assists and even rebounds in some games. That energy, Riley said, has become invaluable to the team.
“We have scorers. We have plenty guys who can score the basketball,” Riley said. “And look, Kevin is one of them. But Kevin understands his skills. He knows that he can penetrate, distribute the ball, make open shots and play tough defense with a lot of high energy. He’s gone against high-quality competition and he doesn’t flinch.”
So now, the challenge is for the Colonels to peak at the right time and play their best basketball when the games matter most.
Riley said the Colonels (4-5) have won the games they’ve been favored to win and lost the games they’ve been favored to lose – something which drives him crazy because he wants the team to start winning games as an underdog.
But in Southland play, the Colonels won’t be an underdog often, because of a talented roster which features Johnson, Roddy Peters, Tavon Saddler and some of the more gifted players in the conference.
“We think what we’re dealing with outside of the league will get us ready for what’s ahead,” Riley said. “Now, we just want to make sure we keep getting better and play our best when the time is right.”
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