Johnson ready to take his leadership to college

 (photo courtesy of the Modesto Bee)

Jourdan Johnson stands just a bit over 5-foot-10 when he takes the basketball court and more often than not leaves those who spout the mantra "don't sweat the small stuff" with a Nike or Adidas shoe self-inserted in their mouths afterwards.

Exhibit A: a  27-7 record, 12-0 in the Western Athletic Conference for Central Catholic High in 2013-14. This after a 26-5, 11-1 finish the season before when 6-foot-9 John Fenton, now at Colgate, patrolled the paint for the Raiders, leading the way with 18.3 points, 17.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocked shots per contest..

Jourdan transferred in post-Fenton this past year from St. Mary's (Stockton) and quickly blended in, providing 10.5 points and 5.6 assists a game, with a game high of 22 points. Many of his new teammates also stepped up their respective games.

Exhibit B: even with Fenton, Central Catholic fell 79-69 to University High in state playoff action last season but this go-around it was the Raiders topping that same foe 73-58, followed by a three-point victory versus Branson. A 54-42 loss to eventual Division 5 state champion St. Joseph Notre Dame ended the run.

So who and what is Jourdan Johnson?

"My best skill is the ability to get my teammates involved, creating for my teammates and for myself with my ballhandling and shooting combination," Johnson explained.   

He noted Chris Paul as a primary influence because "he's kind of like my height and my game is like his. I'm crafty and a leader."

It's been hoops for him "since I was five" and his family says the very first word out of him was not 'mama' but 'ball.' "We like to joke that he was born with a ball in his hand," said his mother Gail Johnson.

The young man acknowledges gaining life lessons from his participation -- "playing the game has taught me how to become a man."

(photo courtesy of the Modesto Bee)

Asked about a 'it doesn't get any better than this best basketball moment,' Johnson offered "playing at Arco Arena in the regional semi-finals this past season."

A longtime member of the West Valley Basketball Club, Johnson handles both point and scoring roles on the squad with equal aplomb, utilizing his quickness, vision and sharpshooting..

Johnson has been in contact a few DII schools along the West Coast as well as with Pacific Lutheran University, located just outside of Tacoma and a DIII member of the Northwest Conference. That league is made up of a host of Washington and Oregon schools.

He's looking to major in kinesiology with the idea of helping train other athletes. Johnson doesn't envision coaching in his future, at least not anytime early on because "I want to play as long as possible."

Johnson is seeking a school where "I can play and grow with the team, and develop as a player. I want to play professionally."

He'll be on display twice in July in Las Vegas because West Valley Basketball will be participating in a pair of tournaments there plus a Pump Brothers event in southern California that same month.

Here is Johnson's NCSA profile.