Alize Johnson continues to amaze. I’m pretty sure you already know his incredible story. You see, last spring Alize became the very first from our area to get drafted in the NBA. The second round pick of the Indiana Pacers had a solid rookie campaign. He spent most of his season recording ridiculous numbers with the Fort Wayne Mad Antz in the D League. Alize got the call to the bigs, and I spotted him on the Pacer’s bench on ESPN and TNT multiple times. Impressive indeed, but it’s what Alize Johnson is doing off of the court that has me turning my head. This youngster has gone above and beyond by routinely giving back to our community. He’s the man.

I was in the crowd a few weeks back to see his latest accomplishment. Alize, through his foundation, totally revamped the basketball courts on Little League Boulevard. Johnson always had dreams of being an NBA player, and he grew up playing at Memorial, Flanigan, and at the Bethune Douglas Center. So he decided to open up an outdoor facility. Johnson’s “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way” logo is painted at midcourt and features six NBA-style hoops, bleachers, and a scoreboard. It turned out amazing. Johnson and his management team totally spearheaded the entire project.

“I’ve always wanted to build a park,” Johnson explained. “I grew up on these courts, and I only hope that I can inspire someone to make it. This is how I want to give back. To the community I love, and that has supported me.”

Alize Johnson signed autographs, posed for countless photos, and got reacquainted with old and new friends. The kickoff also featured several basketball games with some of the area’s best. It served as a reunion of sorts for us old heads. There were many others from surrounding high schools that included some of Johnson’s Neumann teammates. I got to catch up with Kevin Anderson from the University of Delaware and a few other legends. Chevy Troutman and Grady Walker were both in the house. San Antonio Spur and Reading native Lonnie Walker said what’s up.

I gave Alize a chest bump, and he somehow remembered my son’s name. That absolutely made my year. I smiled, and Jensen immediately called all of his friends. “I just got a picture with Alize Johnson. He’s in the NBA, and he knows my dad.”

“It’s a wonderful feeling,” Johnson added. “I always had plans to do something like this, but I wasn’t financially able. We are just getting started with our foundation, and we will continue to do what we can. It took a lot of work and a lot of people from the area who contributed. I’m just blessed to be in this position to make these sort of things happen.”

Alize has already given back, and the young rookie has put up a ton of his own money. Just months after being taken in the 2nd round, he actually purchased team shoes for Neumann, Williamsport, and Loyalsock. Alize didn’t have to do that. But he did. Johnson and his mother Chanelle also distributed 100 Thanksgiving baskets throughout the community over the holidays. Now he built us a new outdoor basketball park. Great stuff, my friend.

“I’m not surprised,” a proud Chanelle Johnson once said. “That’s who he is. Alize is now in a position to help. He hasn’t really done anything for himself. He is constantly thinking of others and what can he do for this community.”

Alize Johnson definitely held is own in 2018, and he continues to work hard on his game. The 6’9” former Neumann standout has a nonstop motor and is gaining confidence. Alize started all 31 of his games with the Fort Wayne Mad Antz. He averaged 19.1 points and an incredible team-leading 13.7 rebounds. Alize was a double-double machine and was called up to the show on a few occasions. He played in 14 games for the Indiana Pacers, and Johnson only averaged 4.5 minutes per contest. He scored a few points and got to hang in the NBA for an entire season. Alize learned the ropes and now knows what it takes to make it. Expect big things from him in 2019. Johnson has a nose for the ball and is relentless on the boards. He has flown under the radar and been an underdog his entire life. This is only the beginning.

Alize Johnson is rather quiet and soft-spoken. He’s one of those guys who leads by example. I am so proud of him and what he’s already accomplished. Alize is only 23 years old, and that is downright scary. Obviously, he is very talented on the basketball court, but Alize is just as brilliant when he is off. That is saying A LOT. Congratulations on your recent venture. Continued success and thanks for making an impact. Whether it’s purchasing shoes for nearby squads or providing meals. Building parks for the next generation or taking pictures with my son Jensen. Salute pal. The entire community should be thankful. Cheer