Men’s Basketball To Host No. 3 Illinois – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 20, 2001
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Opponent: No. 3 Illinois
Site: Value City Arena (19,200)
Game Time: 7 p.m. (EST)
TV: ESPN
Local TV: None
TV Talent: Dave Barnett (P-by-P)
Bill Raftery (Color)
Radio: OSU Radio Network (63 stations)
Local Radio: WBNS FM-97.1 AM-1460
Radio Talent: Paul Keels (P-by-P)
Ron Stokes (Color)
Ohio State Buckeyes
Probable Starters (17-9, 8-5)
G 3-Sean Connolly, 6-5, So.
G 21-Boban Savovic, 6-5, Jr.
G 13-Brian Brown, 6-4, Jr.
C 32-Ken Johnson, 6-11, Sr.
F 33-Zach Williams, 6-7, Fr.
No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini
Probable Starters (21-5, 11-2)
G 30-Frank Williams, 6-3, So.
G 13-Cory Bradford, 6-3, Jr.
C 52-Marcus Griffin, 6-9, Sr.
F 34-Brian Cook, 6-10, So.
F 40-Sergio McClain, 6-4, Sr.
Senior Night–Take Two
Ohio State senior center Ken Johnson will be recognized during pregame ceremonies for his contribution to the men’s basketball program during his time at Ohio State. This will be Johnson’s second senior night ceremony, both vs. Illinois. Johnson did not find out until after the 1999-00 season that he had been granted an additional year of eligibility by the NCAA. Johnson will be joined on the floor by his mother, Tanya and his grandmother, Doris. Three senior managers also will be recognized for their service to OSU men’s basketball. Seniors Ryan Lidke (Parents: Dennis and Joan Lidke), Matthew Topolosky (Parents: Randal and Rochelle Topolosky), and Jim Cook (Parents: David and Lois Cook) also will be working their last home game.
Ohio State’s RPI and SOS on the rise
With a four-game winning streak, three of which were on the road, and victories over three ranked teams in the last six games, including two on the road, Ohio State has made a move in the Rating Percentage Index (RPI). The RPI is used by the NCAA selection committee to select teams for the NCAA Tournament. CollegeRPI.com, an unofficial RPI, has Ohio State rated No. 35 nationally (as of 2/20). Two teams rated in the AP Top 25 are rated lower. No. 21 Georgetown (42) and No. 20 Maryland (48) are behind the Buckeyes in the RPI. Of the 34 teams rated above OSU in the RPI and ranked by AP, 10 have a strength of schedule rated below Ohio State’s, including No 6 Iowa State (RPI 7/SOS 47), No. 10 Boston College (10/53), No. 17 Syracuse (17/45), No. 18 Notre Dame (18/39), No. 25 Providence (24/44), No. 16 Oklahoma (25/80), No. 23 St. Joseph’s (26/98), No. 9 Virginia (29/62) No. 7 Florida (33/83) and No. 14 Alabama (34/96).
Darby leads Buckeyes to 1-1 week
Sophomore Brent Darby has been playing well of late as the Buckeyes’ sixth man. Darby averaged 16.0 points last week in a win at Purdue and a road loss at No. 21 Alabama. Darby has connected for 15 or more points in each of his last four games, the longest double-digit scoring streak of his career. In those four games, Darby has made 21-of-41 shots (.512) with just three turnovers in 122 minutes played or one turnover for each 40.7 minutes played.
Alabama shoots well in win over visiting Buckeyes
With shot-blocker Ken Johnson lurking inside, No. 21 Alabama took to the perimeter. The Crimson Tide shot 10-of-18 from 3-point range and had one of their best all-around games of the season in an 85-67 victory over Ohio State. The Tide had five players score in double figures and blocked 10 shots to secure their first 20-win season in six years. Alabama shot 51 percent from the floor to Ohio State’s 38 percent. Johnson, limited by foul trouble, had 11 points and three blocked shots. Erwin Dudley scored 14 of his 17 points in the first half. In the second half, Travis Stinnett’s two early 3-pointers helped tack on nine points to the Tide’s 39-32 halftime lead. Stinnett finished with 15 points and a career-high seven assists, going 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Kenny Walker added 12 points and Terrance Meade 11, going 3-of-4 in 3-pointers. The Southeastern Conference’s leading scorer, Rod Grizzard, had 10 points despite 2-of-10 shooting. Boban Savovic led Ohio State with 17 points while reserve Brent Darby added 15. The rest of the Buckeyes combined for eight points as only seven players scored. The Tide built on a seven-point halftime lead with four 3-pointers in the first eight minutes and made 6 of 8 from long range in the second half. Then, Walker hit two straight baskets and Grizzard drained a 3-pointer as Alabama went up 65-49 with 8:10 left. Ohio State couldn’t get closer than 11 points after that.
Noting the game against Alabama
Sophomore Brent Darby scored 15 points to give himfour-consecutive double-digit scoring games, the longest streak inhis career. He also did not turn the ball over, marking the secondconsecutive game without a miscue. Ken Johnson moved to No. 6 alltime in NCAA history with three blocks at Alabama. He passed No. 8Etan Thomas (Syracuse) and No. 7 Theo Ratliff (Wyoming). Next up isNo. 5 Calvin Booth (Penn State/428). Johnson leads the nation with107 blocks on the season after stopping three Alabama attempts. His4.1 blocks per game rank No. 3. Johnson blocked three shots, givinghim 426 for his career – 2 behind former Penn State star CalvinBooth, who rejected 428 from 1995-99. Johnson is just the secondplayer in Big Ten history to block 400 or more shots in a career.With 107 blocked shots this season, Johnson stands No. 2 on the OSUsingle-season chart. Johnson holds the top three spots on the listwith 161 (No. 1) last season and 100 (No. 3) in 1998-99. KenJohnson started his 118th career game, moving him into the No. 3spot all time in career starts at OSU. Jamaal Brown (1989-92) andJerry Francis (1986-89) are tied for the career lead with 126starts. Johnson is one of eight players in Ohio State history tostart 100 or more games in his Buckeye career. Brent Darby’s 15points in the contest marked the 13th time in his career he scoreddouble figures. OSU is 11-2 when he scores 10 or more. Ohio Stateis now 3-2 vs. Alabama in the all-time series. The Buckeyes have arecord of 27-23 against members of the SEC. Ohio State extended itsstreak of consecutive games with at least one 3-point goal madewhen Boban Savovic hit a 3-pointer in the first half. OSU hasconnected on at least one 3-point goal in 276-consecutive games.Brian Brown grabbed a career high nine rebounds to go along with 16points, three assists and a steal in 35 minutes. All five UAstarters scored in double figures. The last time an OSU opponentput all five starters in double digits was when Iowa (2/14/98) didso in an 82-70 Hawkeyes home victory. Ken Johnson moved to the No.5 spot on the Big Ten single-season blocks chart. He passed No. 7Joe Barry Carroll (Purdue/105/1977-78), and Acie Earl(Iowa/106/1990-91) with three blocks at Alabama. Earl also owns theNo. 4 spot with 121 blocks (1991-92).
Johnson 2nd in Big Ten to 400 career blocks
Buckeye senior Ken Johnson has 426 blocks in his career after swatting three at Alabama (2/17/01). Johnson is second in Big Ten history in career blocks. Calvin Booth of Penn State (1995-99) is the next target at No. 1 with 428 career blocks. Johnson cracked the Top 10 in Big Ten single-season block records for the third time at Iowa. He already owns the No. 1 spot with 161 in 1999-00 and the No. 9 spot with 100 in 1998-99. His 107 this season rates No. 5.
Big Ten Career Blocked Shots leaders 1. Calvin Booth, PSU 1995-99 428 2. Ken Johnson, OSU 1998- 426 3. Acie Earl, IOWA 1989-93 365 4. Joe Barry Carroll, PUR 1977-80 349 5. Herb Williams, OSU 1977-81 328
Big Ten Season Blocked Shot leaders 1. Ken Johnson, OSU 1999-00 161 2. Calvin Booth, PSU 1997-98 140 3. Jim Pitts, NU 1965-66 123 4. Acie Earl, Iowa 1991-92 121 5. Ken Johnson, OSU 2000-01 107 6. Acie Earl, Iowa 1990-91 106 7. Joe Barry Carroll, PUR 1977-78 105 8. Calvin Booth, PSU 1995-96 101 9. Ken Johnson, OSU 1998-99 100 10.Dean Garrett, IND 1987-88 99
Unranked Buckeyes win 3 vs. ranked teams for 1st time since 1992-93
Ohio State, unranked in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls, has defeated three of the last four ranked opponents faced. The last time the Buckeyes defeated three ranked teams as an unranked squad was during the 1992-93 season when OSU downed No. 22 Iowa, No. 1 Indiana and No. 18 Purdue. An unranked Buckeye squad had not defeated three-consecutive ranked teams since the 1987-88 season. OSU was victorious against No. 16 Iowa, No. 10 Michigan and No. 17 Illinois from Jan. 14-Feb. 4. Ohio State last had a three-game winning streak vs. ranked foes in 1998-99 when the Buckeyes won six-consecutive games vs. ranked foes on their way to the Final Four.
Johnson owns Top 3 spots in single season blocks
With 107 blocks this year, senior Ken Johnson has his name listed at the Top 3 positions on the Ohio State single-season blocked shots chart. His 161 blocks as a junior is an OSU single season record. He swatted 100 as a sophomore, the third highest single season total. His senior total rates No. 2.
Johnson in Top 10 in NCAA career blocks
Ken Johnson sits atop the OSU career list, is currently second on the all-time Big Ten career list and is in the Top 10 in career blocks in NCAA history. His current total of 426 ranks No. 6 all-time in NCAA career blocks. Johnson is one of only 11 players in the history of college basketball to block 400 or more shots. Johnson reached the 400 mark with six blocks at Michigan State (1/21/01). He passed LSU’s Shaquille O’Neal, No. 10 all-time in career blocks (412), with five against Indiana (1/31/01). Johnson took over the No. 8 spot with six rejections at Iowa (2/7/01). He passed No. 7 Etan Thomas and No. 8 Theo Ratliff (Wyoming) with three blocks at Alabama. Penn State’s Calvin Booth, the all-time leader in Big Ten history, is No. 5 on the NCAA chart with 428. Johnson has averaged 3.5 blocks a game over his career, that average rates among the Top 20 all time in NCAA history at No. 17.
NCAA Career Blocks No. Name Gms. Blks. 1. Adonal Foyle, Colgate 87 492 2. Tim Duncan, Wake Forest 128 481 3. Alonzo Mourning, Georgetown 120 453 4. Lorenzo Coleman, Tenn. Tech 113 437 5. Calvin Booth, Penn St. 114 428 6. Ken Johnson, Ohio St. 121 426 7. Theo Ratliff, Wyoming 111 425 8. Etan Thomas, Syracuse 122 424 9. Rodney Blake, St. Joseph’s 116 419 10. Shaquille O’Neal, LSU 90 412
Brown enjoys best season as a Buckeye
Junior Brian Brown is having his most productive season as a Buckeye. In this his third year, he has single season highs in field goals (134), 3-pointers made (36), free throws made (77), assists (104), steals (39), points (381) and scoring average (14.7). His career scoring average is 8.7 ppg.
Several Buckeyes increase production in Big Ten Conference play
Point production has increased during the Big Ten Conference portion of the schedule for three regulars. Junior Brian Brown is consistent with his offensive output with 14.7 ppg. overall and 15.0 ppg. in conference games. Senior Ken Johnson averages 13.3 points in league games and 12.2 ppg. overall. Sophomore Brent Darby averages 9.8 ppg. in the league and 9.0 ppg. on the season. Johnson averages 7.7 rebounds a game in the league and 7.0 rpg. overall.
Brown, Johnson account for majority of Ohio State’s double figure scoring games
Buckeye players have 79 individual double-figure scoring efforts in 26 games this season. Brian Brown leads with 23 with Ken Johnson close behind with 20.
Buckeyes earn 7th win over a defending national champion
Ohio State has met the defending national champion 29 times in history with a 7-22 record in those games following the win over Michigan State. The Buckeyes have a 24-52 record against teams who participated in the Final Four the previous year. The Buckeyes just finished a stretch of four games against 2000 Final Four teams, defending national champion Michigan State, twice, and 2000 Final Four participant Wisconsin, twice. Ohio State split the season series with both teams. Before the recent win over the Spartans, the last time OSU downed a defending national champion was during the 1989-90 season when the Buckeyes won 64-61 over No. 5 Michigan (2/18/90). Michigan won the 1989 national title.
Buckeyes pay back road games after run of home contests
Before traveling to Michigan State (1/21/01), Ohio State enjoyed 12 home games in a stretch of 13 contests. Ohio State will now travel for six of the final eight games of the season, including two of the last three regular season games.
Buckeyes start same four all season
Four of the five OSU starters have remained constant all season with senior Ken Johnson, juniors Brian Brown and Boban Savovic and freshman Zach Williams starting all 26 contests this season. Sophomores Brent Darby (15 starts) and Sean Connolly (11 starts) have been the only changes to the lineup this season.
Ohio State vs. ranked opponents
The Buckeyes played the eighth ranked opponent of the season at No. 21 Alabama. The Buckeyes are 122-192 vs. teams in the AP Top 25. Four of the eight ranked teams OSU has faced this year have been in the AP Top 10. Ohio State has played No. 21 Alabama, No. 16 Wisconsin, twice, No. 14 Iowa, No. 6 Illinois, No. 5 Michigan State, twice, and No. 3 Kansas this season. Syracuse, currently ranked, was not in the Top 25 when OSU played the Orangemen at the great Alaska Shootout earlier this year.
Johnson getting closer to Big Ten record
Ken Johnson is closing on the Big Ten record for career blocks, currently held by PSU’s Calvin Booth. Booth finished his career with 428 rejections. Johnson needs three blocks the remainder of the season to surpass Booth. Ohio State has a minimum of four games remaining this season. Johnson needs to average 0.75 blocks a game to claim record. He is averaging 4.1 blocks this season and 3.5 blocks a game over his career.
Visitors struggle to win at VCA
Ohio State has lost six home games in the 3-year history of Value City Arena. The Buckeyes have a record of 42-6 all time at the VCA. In the six home losses, no team has won by more than three points. The Buckeyes have lost by an average of 2.5 points in the six games.
O’Brien reaches career win No. 300
Jim O’Brien earned career win No. 300 as a collegiate head coach with the 93-62 win over Morehead St. (12/16/00). O’Brien is 310-264 in 19 seasons as a head coach. He has a record of 75-47, including a record of 67-25 over the last three seasons with the Buckeyes. O’Brien spent 11 seasons at his alma mater, Boston College. His teams compiled a record of 168-166 record with six postseason appearances, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament in his last four years. O’Brien started his career at St. Bonaventure, where in four seasons, his teams posted a record of 67-51 (.568). His 100th career win came against Maine Dec. 6, 1988 (87-59) with No. 200 coming against Hartford Dec. 23, 1995 (106-67). O’Brien won both those games at Boston College.
Ohio State to host NCAA Tournament 1st, 2nd rounds in 2004
The Ohio State Department of Athletics, along with Nationwide Arena and the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, has been selected to host the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds, the NCAA announced Dec. 7. Ohio State will serve as the host institution for the 2004 Midwest Region early round contests. The games will be played at Nationwide Arena March 19 and 21, 2004.
Johnson, No. 1 in Big Ten
Ohio State senior Ken Johnson holds the No. 1 spot in the Big Ten with an average of 4.1 blocks a game (107).
Robinson back in uniform
Doylan Robinson (Akron, Ohio/Buchtel), a junior guard, has been out of action recovering from injuries sustained as a passenger in a traffic accident Sunday, Dec. 3, 2000. Robinson suffered several lacerations to his face and right hand. He is expected to recover fully. Robinson has played in six games to date for the Buckeyes after playing the final minute vs. Alabama (2/17/01). He is averaging 1.7 points and 1.7 rebounds in 7.2 minutes a game. He resumed practicing and was dressed for the Ohio State vs. Indiana contest Jan. 31.
Johnson No. 1 on OSU career swat chart
Ken Johnson has 107 blocks on the season for a career total of 426, which places him first all-time at Ohio State in career rejections. Johnson passed Herb Williams (1978-81) at the Great Alaska Shootout in November. Johnson averaged 1.9 bpg. (58/30 gms.) as a freshman, 2.8 bpg. (100/36 gms.) as a sophomore and 5.37 bpg. (161/30 gms.) in 1999-00. He has an average of 4.12 blocks a game this season.
1,000 career points on horizon for Johnson
In 122 career games, senior Ken Johnson is closing on career point No. 1,000 as a Buckeye. He has scored 985 for a career scoring average of 8.1 a contest in his four seasons at Ohio State. With 15 more points this year, he will become the 39th player in OSU history to reach 1,000 career points. He is averaging 12.2 points this season, the highest single-season scoring average of his career.
Johnson paces Buckeyes in the Big Ten
Among Big Ten players, senior Ken Johnson rates among the Top 10 in four statistical categories. He is the league’s best shot blocker with 4.12 rejections a game. With a .564 field goal shooting percentage, he rates No. 4. He also is fourth in defensive rebounds (5.04) and seventh in overall rebounds per game (7.0). Sophomore Sean Connolly is the No. 2 3-point shooter in the conference with a .440 shooting percentage. Junior Brian Brown is No. 5 in 3-point shooting percentage (.429).
Johnson No. 3 on career starts list
Ken Johnson has started 118 career games since the 1997-98 season. He is one of only eight Buckeyes to reach 100 or more career starts. Johnson is No. 3 on the OSU career starts list behind the 126 started by Jamaal Brown (1989-92) and Jerry Francis (1986-89).
Illini drop Indiana in Bloomington
Illinois had too many weapons, too much depth and too much defense for Indiana Saturday. The Hoosiers couldn’t withstand the combination. Brian Cook scored 16 points, Frank Williams added 14 and the Illini defense stopped the Hoosiers’ inside game as it held on for a 67-61 victory. The Illini have won five straight games – the longest streak in Big Ten play this season, and four straight against the Hoosiers And once again, the Illini’s depth not only wore down an opponent, it flat out beat it. The Illinois bench outscored Indiana’s 30-5 and outrebounded it 20-2. Then it turned the game over to a defense that ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten in field-goal percentage allowed. Illinois limited the Hoosiers to just 35.2 percent shooting and forced the Hoosiers to take their shots from long range. Kirk Haston finished with 18 points and Jared Jeffries and Tom Coverdale added 16.
Leading the Illini
Sophomore point guard Frank Williams leads Illinois with a 15.2 scoring average along with 4.1 assists per game. Senior center Marcus Griffin (12.2 ppg.) and sophomore Brian Cook (11.8 ppg.) also average double figures offensively. Griffin and Cook lead the team in rebounding at 6.2 rpg.
Self in first year at Illinois
Illinois head coach Bill Self is in his eighth season as a collegiate head coach and his first at Illinois. He has a combined record of 151-85 and a 21-5 mark with Illinois. Self spent four seasons at Oral Roberts, where he compiled a record of 56-53. He then coached at Tulsa from 1998-00. He won 74 games with 27 defeats before moving on to take over the Illinois program.
The Illinois series
Illinois leads the all-time series with the Buckeyes 95-56. Illinois has the edge in Columbus 38-35, though the Buckeyes won at home last year 64-51.
The Buckeyes vs. Illinois
Brian Brown leads the Buckeyes in games played vs. Illinois with a 9.4 points per game scoring average in five career meetings against the Illinois. Ken Johnson averages 6.5 points and 6.7 rebounds vs. Illinois in his six games vs. the Illini. Brent Darby averages 7.0 points in a pair of games against Illinois.
Leading the Buckeyes
Junior Brian Brown leads the Buckeyes offensively with a scoring average of 14.7 points per game. He leads the team in minutes played (33.3 mpg.). Sophomore Sean Connolly leads in 3-point shooting (40-91, .440). Connolly is the team’s leading free throw shooter (33-41, .805). Ken Johnson is the team’s leading rebounder with 7.0 a game. He is the most accurate Buckeye from the field as well hitting 56 percent of his shots (119-211). Brown leads in assists with 104 and steals, 39.
OSU opponents fare well in polls
Six 2000-01 Buckeye opponents are rated among the Top 25 in the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls. Illinois (3/4), Michigan State (5/5), Kansas (11/10), Alabama (14/14), Syracuse (17/12) and Wisconsin (19/17) are rated in the Top 25. Iowa and Penn State are receiving votes in one or both polls.
Johnson led nation in blocks, average fifth in NCAA
Ohio State center Ken Johnson led the Big Ten and the nation in blocks in 1999-00. Johnson sent back 5.37 shots per game with 161 blocks on the year. Johnson has the fifth highest block per game average in NCAA history. His total of 161 is the seventh most in a single season in NCAA history.
NCAA Single Season Blocks Avg. 1. #Adonal Foyle, Colgate 1997 6.43 2. #Keith Closs, C. Conn. St. 1996 6.36 3. #David Robinson, Navy 1986 5.91 4. Adonal Foyle, Colgate 1996 5.69 5. #Ken Johnson, OSU 2000 5.37 # Led nation in blocks.
Big Ten coaches, media select Johnson preseason First Team All-Big Ten
The Big Ten men’s basketball coaches and league media chose Ken Johnson (Sr., Detroit, Mich./Henry Ford) as a preseason First Team All-Big Ten selection. The announcement was made Oct. 30 at the annual Big Ten Men’s Basketball media day. Johnson joins Cory Bradford (Illinois), Charlie Bell (Michigan State), Kirk Haston (Indiana) and LaVell Blanchard (Michigan) on the squad selected by the coaches. The media selected the same squad with the exception of Haston. Joe Crispin of Penn State filled that spot. Johnson, who averaged nearly eight points, over six rebounds and 5.4 blocks a game last year as a junior, is the only senior on Ohio State’s squad this season.
A change in lineup
Ohio State used its second starting lineup of the season with sophomore Sean Connolly starting in place of sophomore Brent Darby against Eastern Kentucky. Darby had a slight knee sprain but did play vs. the Colonels. According to STATS Inc., Ohio State was among just six schools to use just one or two different starting lineups in 1999-00. Hawaii used the same starters all season. Ohio State, Southern Illinois, St. John’s, Vermont and Wofford used just two lineups in 1999-00.
2-year home record rates high at OSU
Ohio State has compiled a 42-6 (.875) record over three seasons in Value City Arena. The Buckeyes were 14-1 in the inaugural season in VCA (1998-99) and notched a 15-2 record at home in 1999-00. In back-to-back seasons in which the Buckeyes have won at least 25 combined home games, the OSU record from 1999-00 of 29-3 stands fourth all-time for home record in consecutive seasons. The record over the 2000-01 seasons is 28-5, which rates No. 5 for combined two-year record all-time. The 1962-63 teams posted a 25-0 record during a span of 50 home games in which the Buckeyes were undefeated from 1960-64.
Ohio State home record in back-to-back seasons Seasons 2-yr. home Rec. Win Pct. 1962-63 25-0 1.000 1991-92 30-1 .968 1990-91 27-2 .931 1999-00 29-3 .906 2000-01 28-5 .848 1985-86 26-5 .839 1982-83 25-5 .833 1986-87 26-7 .788 1985-86 26-5 .781
OSU 3-pt FG streak extended to 276
Ohio State has connected on at least one 3-point field goal attempt over the last 276 games. Junior Boban Savovic extended the streak in the first half against Alabama (2/17/01). The last time an OSU team missed all attempts from 3-point range was Feb. 2, 1992 when the Buckeyes went 0 for 5 in a 68-58 OSU win over Michigan. Buckeye opponents have a streak of 268-consecutive games with at least one 3-pointer made. Michigan went 0-10 from long range March 3, 1992 in an OSU 75-66 victory, marking the last time an opponent was held without a 3-pointer.
OSU vs. the Big Ten
The Buckeyes opened the Big Ten season Jan. 3 at home against Northwestern. The Buckeyes have more victories over the Wildcats (98) than any other league school. Ohio State has 78 wins each over Michigan and Wisconsin. Illinois has the most wins over the Buckeyes with 95. This is the 89th season of Big Ten play for Ohio State in men’s basketball.
Big Ten Series Records
Illinois 56-95
Indiana 66-93
Iowa 60-67
Michigan 79-67
Michigan State 45-52
Minnesota 71-50
Northwestern 98-44
Penn State 11-12
Purdue 68-77
Wisconsin 79-54
Totals 632-611
Johnson helps Olympic team prepare for Gold in Sydney
Ken Johnson was selected as one of 12 collegiate players who gathered to practice against the 2000 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball team last summer in Maui, Hawaii. Johnson was the only true center on the 2000 USA Basketball Men’s Select team and its tallest player at 6-feet 11-inches. The Select team scrimmaged the Olympic team each day during the week-long camp. The camp ended with a nationally-televised (NBC) contest Sept. 2 at the University of Hawaii Stan Sheriff Center.
