A very long time ago, in a gymnasium nearby. A friend was in a bind. He reached out for some help. I was on the fence. I had been away from the game for a year. I enjoyed my first undefeated season from the stands. But I missed it. I talked things over with my lovely bride. Jensen was three at the time. I weighed all of my options and took the plunge. I agreed to take the St. John Neumann Junior High Boys Hoops job. Glad to have you on board. Practice starts Monday, Spence.
Several questioned why I got back to coaching, especially at that level. And to be completely honest, I had no answers. It was quite different, but I was extremely grateful for the new friendships and memories. I won’t get into the specifics, as most of those guys are much older. It was a ball. I still interact and see them around town. Great kids. They are in their mid-20s now. It was in that gymnasium where I first met a kid with an extraordinary talent.
The SJNRA 7th and 8th graders finished up their first practice. I was so defeated. Paul Pectavage then introduced me to some of his varsity players. I’ve already seen most of them in action. We would cross paths with the Knights when I was at Montoursville. I was impressed with one in particular. All of my little guys absolutely loved him. Alize Johnson stood out. He had a great smile and a swagger. Alize was a lanky 6’3 junior back then. He laughed at my jokes. Johnson was super athletic and still growing into his body. He was a very hard worker. I challenged Johnson to a friendly game of HORSE. I crushed him that very first time. True story. He wasn’t allowed to dunk. We would play many more times before practice that year. I held my own. Alize may say something different. Our relationship began. I went on to coach his super-talented younger brothers. Alize is now a friend.
That was then. This is now. Where do I start? I wrote several stories on Alize Johnson. Two were on the front cover. My man was the first in the area to be selected in the NBA draft. I couldn’t believe it. I still don’t. He then donated a substantial amount of money and helped build the basketball courts near Bethune-Douglass. Johnson even gave the local hoops programs team hoop shoes for many seasons. Alize has continued to make the area proud. He was the 50th overall pick in the 2018 draft. Johnson has appeared in 76 regular-season games from 2018 to 22. He suited up for the Pacers, Nets, Bulls, Wizards, Pelicans, and Spurs during that time. Alize did record a 20-point/20-rebound game when he was with the Nets. Incredible.
Alize hasn’t been under an NBA contract since being waived by the Spurs. He spent some time in the G LEAGUE. The now 29-year-old has been competing internationally for the past two seasons. Johnson has played in South Korea, Puerto Rico, and Japan since 2023. The Minnesota Timberwolves reached out and signed the savvy vet. He is currently on their preseason roster, hoping for another chance. Alize has played well for the Wolves in the first few games. He tallied 9 points and nine rebounds in 17 minutes on Tuesday. No way.
I reached out to Alize to say congrats. He came back with a simple thanks. My man Spence. The kid continues to turn heads. His hard work, perseverance, and determination are still paying dividends. He is a great young lad with an even better smile. Alize Johnson has done so much for our community and then some. He took the road less traveled. Alize wasn’t heavily recruited out of St. John Neumann. He spent two years at a small JUCO in Texas. He flew under the radar at Missouri State. Many folks never gave him a chance. Look at him now. Our guy Alize Johnson is back in the NBA. The same lanky kid that I used to play HORSE with. Major props, big fella. How about a rematch? Cheers.
