Hunter Green

UNT forward Johnson gets a second chance 09:37 PM CST on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 By BRETT VITO / Denton Record-Chronicle DENTON – For Shawnson Johnson, playing for the LSU men's basketball team felt like the right thing to do. Right up until he finally got the chance. Halftime had arrived in Johnson's fourth game with the Tigers a little more than a year ago when he clashed with LSU coach John Brady over his role with the team, packed his belongings and walked away. His decision added another twist to the meandering career of the basketball prodigy who is completing his college career this winter at North Texas, the third school he has attended in five years. The 6-9, 250-pound forward leads the team in scoring and rebounding. He will start for UNT when it faces Denver tonight in a Sun Belt game at the Super Pit. Barring a postseason run, Johnson's UNT career will last only 12 weeks because of the decision he made Dec. 3, 2002. "I was not happy with some of the things he was doing," Johnson said of Brady. "He felt like I should be a practice dummy and cheer the team on, so I had to do what was best for me. I don't regret leaving. I would have been on the bench and never gotten a good look." So Johnson cleared out his locker after arguing with Brady, walked out of the arena and called his mother, Elnora Johnson, who drove from Shreveport, La., the next day to pick up Shawnson. He had spent two years at Lee (Texas) Junior College and another one as an LSU redshirt, trying to fulfill his dream of playing in the purple and gold. Johnson averaged 5.3 points and seven rebounds in his short time with the Tigers. He had to sit out a year when he transferred to UNT, reducing his eligibility to one semester. "I don't think he gave it enough of a chance," Brady said. "The way he left was a little bizarre. I have never experienced something like that in all my years of coaching, but I wish Shawnson well. I don't hold any ill feelings toward him." Brady said Johnson asked to rejoin the team after walking away. When the staff decided that was not possible, Brady contacted UNT coach Johnny Jones, a former LSU player and assistant coach. "Shawnson is a good enough person that he deserves a second chance," Jones said. "Plus, I felt he could make an impact." So far, Jones has been right. Johnson is averaging 15.9 points and 8.9 rebounds since entering the lineup Dec. 13 against TCU and has quickly fit in with his teammates, who describe him as a fun-loving prankster. Johnson's gold teeth can frequently be seen through his broad grin at practice. "He is a guy you would want for a friend," UNT forward Michael Jones said. Johnson seemed destined to make friends and an impact on the Division I level after he averaged 19 points and 12 rebounds at Green Oaks High in Shreveport. Several recruiting services ranked him among the nation's top-100 college prospects. Johnson had always hoped to play for LSU, but he did not meet minimum academic standards. Johnson spent two years at Lee in Baytown, Texas, where he averaged 21 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots as a sophomore. Those numbers landed him a shot at LSU. Johnson never reached his potential with the Tigers, but he is quickly making a name for himself at UNT. Even Indiana had a tough time stopping Johnson, who had 21 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots in a 79-70 loss to the Hoosiers on Dec. 29. "He's an animal," Indiana forward Sean Kline said of Johnson. "When he gets the ball point-blank, he's tough to stop. ... He's a big, strong, mean green-type guy." Facing players like Kline has been rewarding for Johnson. "I have been knocked down, but I have always gotten back up," Johnson said. "Getting the chance to be part of a Division I team is special for me. UNT has been a good place for me. It keeps me out of trouble, and basketball keeps me motivated to do the right things." E-mail bvito@dentonrc.com SHAWNSON JOHNSON Born: March 10, 1980 Height/weight: 6-9, 250 High school: Green Oaks, Shreveport, La. Notable: Johnson has been ranked among the best players in the nation for his age several times. Several recruiting services rated him one of the top-100 college basketball prospects in the country after his senior year in high school. ... Johnson has blocked 27 shots in eight games. He needs 10 more blocked shots to move into 10th place on UNT's career-leaders list. The future: Johnson's goal is to finish his college education at UNT and find a place to play after graduation. Denver (8-5, 0-1 Sun Belt) at UNT (5-8, 0-1), 7 p.m. today, Super Pit, Denton (KWRD-FM 100.7)

Where are you going to be set up?

Jeez, what is going on in basketball?? We suck!

and it's continuing to be bad in basketball that is going to help keep us out of a better conference. <_

Don't attend an smu game. Let them rot and burn in hell!

My daughter plays VB for a local Middle School and we have been trying to make a game all season. We will try very hard to make the game Friday night. VB is a great game!

avatar test

Even though I bought season tickets, I have only been able to attend a handful of games and have only kept up with them from afar. What happened this year? Do we have no talent? Too many injuries? Is JJ a flash in the pan? I'd like someone's objective assessment, please.