Kareem Johnson

11/09/03: "The transformation in Kareem Johnson began shortly after the University of Cincinnati was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament by Gonzaga in March. UC coach Bob Huggins addressed his players in the locker room and told them things would be different in 2003-04, that the Bearcats were going to run up and down the floor the way they used to.

Perhaps more than any other player in that locker room, Johnson took those words to heart. "I knew if I wanted to play here," Johnson said, "I'd have to get in better shape."

As the offseason wore on, Johnson showed he was serious. At 6 feet 7, 250 pounds, he improved his bench press from 280 pounds to 350. He reduced his body fat from 15 percent to 9 percent.

When practice began Oct. 18, he looked like a different player. "His approach has changed immensely," assistant coach Andy Kennedy said. "You want your seniors to have a sense of urgency about their game, and he's got one this year. I think he's figured things out a little bit."

Johnson, who's expected to relieve forward Jason Maxiell and center Rob Whaley, averaged only 2.4 points and 4.3 rebounds last season, his first after transferring from Chipola (Fla.) College. Last Saturday, in UC's exhibition game against Northern Kentucky, he had 11 points and 10 rebounds in 17 minutes.

Known as "Jabber" by his teammates - a nickname he picked up at Chipola because of the way he talks - Johnson is more outgoing and upbeat this season. "I'm happy now," Johnson said. "Last year I was miserable. I had a feeling that nobody took me under their wing and taught me the system. I was just on my own. Practice started in October, then three weeks later it's the season. Everything moves so quick and they don't have time to wait for you."

It didn't help that he arrived at UC physically unprepared for what he was about to face. "He wasn't in very good shape," Huggins said. "I think he thought he was going to play himself into shape. You worry about being tired and you don't retain very much."

No one at UC is prepared to declare that Johnson will blossom into a star this season. To go along with his double-double last week, he had four fouls in 17 minutes. But what he has done in the preseason might be an indication that Johnson is prepared to make the most of his senior year. "I tried last year, but I couldn't do it for a whole three hours of practice," Johnson said. "Now I can do it for every drill and every play." - Enquirer.com

10/26/03: "It was only an intrasquad scrimmage, but if Kareem Johnson plays this season the way he did against his teammates Saturday afternoon, he will easily be the most improved player on the UC basketball team. Johnson, a 6-7 senior center who struggled last year in his first season at UC, scored 15 points and pulled down five rebounds for the Black team, which lost to the White team 57-52.

The White team featured James White, Rob Whaley, Jamaal Lucas, Field Williams, Jason Maxiell and Asrangue Souleymane.

Along with Johnson, the Black team had Armein Kirkland, Tony Bobbitt, Eric Hicks, John Meeker and Field Williams. Bobbitt and White each scored 17 points, and Maxiell scored 15.

Johnson's performance was remarkable because of how far he's come since averaging only 2.4 points and 4.3 rebounds last year. "He really worked hard," said UC coach Bob Huggins. "I don't know that we've had anybody make as dramatic an improvement with his body and his game as he's had. He's been great." - Enquirer.com

10/22/03: "Bob Huggins griped all last season about how most of his players did not listen to him. The hard-driving University of Cincinnati head coach certainly did not expect his players to listen to him just minutes after the completion of a miserable, 17-win season in March. But Huggins went ahead and issued some offseason strength and conditioning challenges, naming names as he addressed the team in the locker room following the Bearcats' first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Gonzaga in Salt Lake City.

It turns out several players listened to Huggins, particularly center Kareem Johnson. He led an offseason strength and conditioning mission for the Bearcats to transform themselves from soft-bodied pushovers to bulldozing bullies. A team that had just one player who could bench press 300 pounds in 2002-03 now can fill out a starting lineup with 300-pound bench pressers.

During his public address at Midnight Madness last Friday night, Huggins proudly proclaimed that he now has five players who bench press 300 pounds. The Bearcats, the team known for pushing opponents around, are back, Huggins said. "We had guys who really took to heart that we didn't get done what we wanted to get done a year ago," Huggins said Tuesday about a team that was outrebounded 14 times last season, including four times by double-digit margins.

Johnson took it to heart the most. He sat in that Salt Lake City locker room a "flabby" player who had been pushed around during his first season with UC. As he listened to Huggins talk, Johnson started to really feel the embarrassment of a season in which 6-foot-1 point guard Taron Barker, who holds the team record for guards with a 370-pound bench press, averaged more rebounds than every post player except Jason Maxiell.

Assistant strength and conditioning coach Scott Greenawalt, who oversees the basketball program, remembers Huggins turning to him in the locker room and saying this about Johnson: "He better turn his fat body into muscle."

Johnson remembers Huggins telling Greenawalt: "I don't care if he lifts another weight, but he better get in the cardio room and run miles everyday."

Yes, sir.

"I knew he was for real," said Johnson, one of several players who failed to lock up the starting center job last season because of his lack of physical prowess. "So I dedicated my whole summer (to strength and conditioning), and decided not to go home (to his native Eufaula, Ala.). I knew we had a chance to be real special this year, so I just did it for my team and Cincinnati."

Johnson spent an hour in the weight room every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Each Tuesday and Thursday, it was two miles on the treadmill. Since he arrived at UC in August 2002 from junior college, Johnson has increased his bench press by 100 pounds. He bench presses a team-best 350 pounds.

Johnson, who averaged 2.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season, said he previously was never dedicated to an offseason workout program. He only lifted when the coaches told him to. Johnson also changed his diet, cutting out all fast food. He also stopped eating after 11 p.m.

The result: Johnson has transformed his body so dramatically, that he is hardly recognizable. (His new look also includes a new hairdo -- squiggly, mini-dreadlocks -- after having a conservative, short cut last season.) He says his body fat has gone from 15 percent to 9.3 percent. The 6-foot-8 Johnson has kept his weight at 250 pounds, but last season he said "it wasn't the right kind of weight."

"Looking at the difference between him at the end of the tournament to now is unbelievable," Greenawalt said. "It looks like someone chiseled him in stone. He worked his butt off all summer. He came to lift every day. Every day."

That is the type of dedication Huggins is looking for in a player. Huggins knows that all the protein shakes Johnson gulped down and all the military presses he lifted during the offseason will not transform him into a star player. But Huggins rewards players who dedicate themselves to working hard, and he is looking for Johnson to be a key rebounding and defensive force as the backup center. "What he's done with his body is really incredible," Huggins said. "If everybody made the transformation that he's made from one year to the next, then you wouldn't worry about a whole lot. I think Kareem has really dedicated himself to having a great senior year." - CincyPost.com
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2/11/03: "When he was a child, Kareem Johnson's father, Daniel George, used to tell him that he had to learn to stand on his own. "I'm not going to be with you all the time," he said. "You have to grow up some time."

But Johnson, a junior center for the University of Cincinnati basketball team, didn't think his father would leave him so soon. Two years ago, George died of a brain tumor at age 51.

Johnson was devastated. "I remember when I took him to the hospital and I was crying," Johnson said. "He told me, 'Don't cry. Just pray.'"

George underwent surgery to have the tumor removed but never regained consciousness. He was in a coma for a year.

Eventually, George was sent home to receive hospice care. Johnson, who was playing at Chipola (Fla.) Junior College at the time, visited him whenever he could get home. "I would just sit with him and talk with him," Johnson said. "He was a religious man. He went to church every Sunday."

Even though he's gone, Johnson still relies on his father for support when things aren't going well, like this winter when he was trying to carve out a niche on the UC basketball team.

It took awhile, but it appears Johnson has finally settled in as the Bearcats' starting center. He has grabbed nine rebounds in each of UC's last two games and has started the last four. He averaged 2.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game.

Yes, Johnson said, it has been difficult enduring the criticism and the yelling from coach Bob Huggins, going from being a high school and junior college star to a role player, from starter to bench warmer and back to starter again.

But through it all, Johnson kept plugging away. "I've been having adversity all my life," Johnson said. "You just have to deal with it. You keep your head up. That's what my dad told me before he died. Never hang your head. Keep working hard."

Johnson's mother, Randee, named him after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar because she was a Los Angeles Lakers fan. She could give her son the name, but she couldn't give him the skyhook.

That's not to say Johnson hasn't had his time as an offensive threat. He averaged 24.6 points per game at Eufaula (Ala.) High School as a junior, and 13.2 points per game last year at Chipola College, where he was a second-team All-American.

At UC, though, Johnson's duties are rebounding and playing defense. "We still have to get him to rebound better offensively," Huggins said. "If he could get three or four offensive rebounds and finish them, that would really be a big boost."

Recruiting coordinator Andy Kennedy convinced Johnson to attend UC last March after Donald Little's legal problems left the Bearcats without a center.

Johnson, 22, didn't play basketball as a high school senior because he was too old to maintain his eligibility under Alabama rules, having been held back for one year in grade school. So he quit school, got his GED and went to junior college.

Kennedy, a former Alabama-Birmingham assistant, remembered Johnson as a prime prospect and had a good relationship with Chipola College coach Ryan Cross.

Johnson chose Cincinnati over Auburn, Illinois, Oklahoma State and Charlotte. "He was the best available player," Kennedy said. "We had to have a big body and we knew he'd rebound. I think he's a better scorer than he's shown. A lot of times, he's just nervous. He doesn't get many opportunities, and when he gets them, he has no rhythm and he doesn't have any confidence. But he's a better scorer than he's showing."

Johnson, known among his teammates as "Jabber" because of both the way he mumbles and his namesake, goes about his business with a sleepy-eyed, almost expressionless face. He responds to questions from reporters with brief answers.

But he's one of the most popular players on the team, armed with a wicked sense of humor. "When he first came here, he didn't say two words," said Bearcats senior forward Leonard Stokes. "But when you get to know him, he's a real comedian."

The jokes are fine, but what UC really needs from Johnson are rebounds and an occasional basket.

Lately, he's been delivering the rebounds. "I'm just playing with passion and a sense of urgency," Johnson said.His father would be proud.



10/18/02: "There are about, well, 13 guys on the University of Cincinnati's current 14-man roster who probably are more talented basketball players than Kareem Johnson. But perhaps none of them personifies UC's bust-you-in-the-kisser style more than the junior-college transfer. That old-school grittiness is something the Bearcats have lacked in the frontcourt the past two seasons, and that is why hard-to-impress head coach Bob Huggins is impressed by the 6-foot-8 Johnson.

How impressed is Huggins? When he introduced the UC players one-by-one during a ceremony to officially begin the season last Saturday morning, Huggins told the 3,200 folks at Shoemaker Center that they "are going to like how this guy plays."

Johnson's grit alone has him in the running to challenge for the starting center position, associate head coach Dan Peters said. "He tries. He plays hard," Huggins said of Johnson. "There's been some guys come in here that we haven't had to teach how to play hard, and I think Kareem will be one of those guys. I don't think we've had anybody like him." Especially the past two seasons. The hard-nosed legacy established by post players such as Terry Nelson, Curtis Bostic, Bobby Brannen, Ryan Fletcher and Jermaine Tate — all not the most talented of offensive players, but tenacious defenders and aggressive around the basket on both ends of the court — wasn't carried out by the likes of Donald Little, B.J. Grove and Jamaal Davis the past two seasons. Tate and Fletcher were dirty-work types as seniors in 1999-2000.

Johnson says playing hard "just comes natural" to him. "I want to jump in the fox hole with him," Peters said. "That's what this program has been built on is hard work. There's been a lot guys who played here who haven't been the most talented guys in the world, but they've bought into what we're trying to teach."

The coaches don't have to teach Johnson rebounding, which is his strength. He averaged 10.6 rebounds per game at Chipola Junior College in Marianna, Fla., last season. Getting Little, Davis and Grove — all of whom are gone, providing that Grove doesn't trim down some 30 pounds and weighs no more than the 270 that Huggins wants him to be at — to scrap for boards was a constant chore for the coaches. A lot of it boiled down to toughness.

Of course, that's not an issue with the 250-pound Johnson. Chipola assistant coach Joel VanMeter compares Johnson to NBA veteran Charles Oakley, who has spent 17 seasons in the league primarily because of his blue-collar approach, which has established the forward as a solid rebounder and defender.

Oakley does have a nice shooting touch from the 10- to 15-foot range, something Johnson doesn't. But Johnson, whose mother named him after Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, can score. His aggressive style helps create some offense. "Put backs," Johnson said, referring to where he gets most of his points. He averaged 12.2 points per game last season. "He understands his job," UC assistant coach Andy Kennedy said. "He's in there to rebound, post defend and score the ball in the paint. He has no illusions that it's going to expand beyond that."

Johnson's style should complement that of star sophomore Jason Maxiell, who is a lock to start at the other post position. Maxiell is expected to carry a bulk of the scoring load in the frontcourt.

Johnson is battling fellow Alabama native Rod Flowers, 6-10 junior Derek Hollman and 6-7 senior Eugene Land for the starting role.

Flowers, a 6-8 junior, has averaged only 4.2 minutes during just 40 games the past two seasons. Hollman spent last season recovering from shoulder surgery and hasn't played in a game for UC. And Land is recovering from knee surgery and hasn't played in a game since March 12, 1999." - CincyPost.com


7/10/02: Moved to inactive - Mike Ryan

7/7/02: "Kareem Johnson (Eufaula, Ala./Chipola College) earned second-team All America honors from FutureStars." - UCBearcats.com

VISITED 4/12/02. Signed 4/14.

4/17/02: "Kareem Johnson, a 6-foot-8, 260-pound center who was the Charlotte 49ers' last major college basketball recruiting target, signed Monday with Cincinnati, the 49ers' Conference USA arch-rival. Until about a week ago, Johnson had narrowed his choices to Charlotte, Oklahoma State and Auburn. But when 6-11 center Donald Little was kicked off the Bearcats' team, a scholarship became available. Cincinnati turned to Johnson, who averaged 13 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks for Chipola Junior College in Marianna, Fla., last season. Johnson, who visited Charlotte last month, visited Cincinnati over the weekend and then signed, giving the Bearcats a projected top-10 recruiting class. "Kareem chose the Bearcats over the 49ers in what appears to be a head-to-head, down-to-the-wire decision," said Lenoir recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons. "He's probably the last of the big, strong physical junior-college centers still available." Cincinnati was apparently able to win the battle despite its late entry because of Bearcats assistant coach Andy Kennedy. A close friend of Chipola coach Ryan Cross, Kennedy also recruited Will Campbell from Chipola for Alabama-Birmingham before Kennedy joined coach Bob Huggins' staff in Cincinnati. "Andy Kennedy got this done," said Gibbons. Gibbons said that while Johnson is not a great athlete, he can be an immediate contributor. "He's a big post player, a rebounder. He's a big powerful guy who can give you five fouls and punish you inside." - Charlotte Observer

4/16: "Both (Andy) Kennedy and Chipola assistant Joel VanMeter compare Johnson to NBA veteran Charles Oakley, because Johnson is a bruising type of rebounder and defender. Johnson, Kennedy said, doesn't possess the perimeter shooting skills as Oakley, but the newcomer is solid 'from block-to-block.' "You're not going to go to him offensively," said VanMeter, "but he's going rebound and play defense." - Cincypost.com

4/15: "Although Johnson is limited in terms of offensive skills, he is pretty nimble for his girth and does all of his damage within five feet of the basket. As a result, he likely projects as a center at the Division I level." - RivalsHoops
http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/

4/15: "Kareem Johnson, one of the leading rebounders among Florida junior colleges last season, has signed a national letter-of-intent to continue his basketball career at the University of Cincinnati. Johnson, a 6-8, 250-pound center, averaged 12.2 points and 10.6 rebounds at Chipola College en route to first team All-Panhandle Conference honors. He led the conference in rebounding and field goal percentage (68 percent). A native of Eufaula, Ala., Johnson was a first team Class 5A all-state selection at Eufaula High. He was the 5A player of the year as a senior after helping lead the school to the state championship his junior season. "We think Kareem will play a role for us right away," said UC head coach Bob Huggins. "He's a big, strong physical type of player. He rebounds well and he can score when around the basket." - UCBearcats.com

4/14: Greg Swaim is reporting that Kareem Johnson has signed with Cincinnati.

4/12/02: "Kareem Johnson, a 6-8 center from Chipola Junior College, is scheduled to make an official recruiting visit to UC this weekend. "He's a pretty good player," (Van) Coleman said. “He's got a good set of hands. He finishes around the basket. He uses his body well to rebound. He's a guy who could come in and give some quality minutes, could even be a starter at the Cincinnati level." - Enquirer.com

4/9/02: "Kareem Johnson, a 6-foot-8, 260-pound center from Chipola Junior College in Marianna, Fla., is scheduled to make an official recruiting VISIT to the University of Cincinnati this weekend. Johnson, who averaged 13 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks, has already visited Oklahoma State, Charlotte and Auburn. Chipola coach Ryan Cross said Johnson may make a decision next Monday. "He's a big, strong, athletic low-post player, kind of a banger," Cross said. “He scores around the basket. He's a decent shot-blocker and a decent rebounder. Obviously, with (UC) losing Donald Little, he'll be able to come in and fill a void." Little was dismissed from the Bearcats program last week after being arraigned on felonious assault and kidnapping charges. That made finding a big man a priority for UC. The spring signing period begins Wednesday. Johnson is from Eufaula, Ala., and was Alabama's Class 5A Player of the Year as a high school senior, Cross said. This past season, he was named first-team all-Panhandle Conference." - Enquirer.com

3/3/02: "After a modest season last year as a freshman at Chipola Junior College in northwestern Florida, big sophomore Kareem Johnson has come on strong this season and is ranked among the top rebounders in Florida's junior college system. His 12 points-per-game average, coupled with a 10.6 rebounds-per-game effort this year, has helped him earn All-Conference honors this season. Described as "one of the best inside players in the conference", Kareem has made a habit out of hammering away at opponents in the low post. The Vandals need height, weight and strength in the front court next year, and Kareem certainly fits the bill. At 6-8 and 240 pounds he's listed as both a forward and center prospect, and is certainly among the biggest prospects Idaho is recruiting. Without doubt, he possesses the size and strength to come in next season and earn significant playing time for the Vandals, and could possibly win a starting job outright." - Vandal Venue

1/24/02: "Chipola enjoyed a size advantage on the low post with the 6-foot-8 duo of Kareem Johnson and Wayne Bransom. The Indians continuously hammered away inside at the undersized Commodores. Johnson finished with 16 points - all of which were scored within a couple feet of the basket - and terrorized Gulf Coast inside with 12 rebounds. "They played strong and got the ball inside to Johnson, who is one of the best inside players in the conference," Douglas said. "And I thought their perimeter guys did a good job giving the ball up to teammates. That's something I'd like our guys to pick up on." - Panama City Beach News Herald



11/23/01: "Although Johnson is limited in terms of offensive skills, he is pretty nimble for his girth and does all of his damage within five feet of the basket. As a result, he likely projects as a center at the Division I level. Last season, Johnson averaged eight points and eight rebounds per game." - Rivals

10/19/02: "Consistency and conditioning are probably the two biggest variables that will shape Johnson's sophomore season. Even though he is strong as an ox and very difficult to budge once he establishes position, Johnson's effort waned at times in games, which may have been a direct result of him not being in shape. Johnson came to Chipola last fall after enjoying a stellar prep career back in his native Alabama. He is expected to graduate in the summer of 2002, Cross said." - Rivals

(Head coach Ryan Cross of Chipola is the former head coach at Barton County Comm College and a native of Canton, OH.)

8/31/02: Listed as the 12th best Juco center in the country - Future Stars (Van Coleman)

Picture:
http://www.chipola.cc.fl.us/pictures/athl/2001/Men's%20Team/k%20johnson.jpg