RJ Johnson dribbles the ball up court against West Georgia. Photo by Jackson Louneoubonh
At long last, Owls guard RJ Johnson is returning to the court with something to prove.
Poised to take a serious step forward following the graduation of Owls great Terrell Burden, Johnson entered a routine offseason practice in a good headspace, just before disaster struck.
Johnson blocked a layup from his teammate Delaney Heard into the backboard, displaying the aggression that had earned him the eyes of so many college coaches, but returned to the ground with his shoulder no longer in its socket.
The diagnosis was a torn labrum, immobilizing Johnson at home for six weeks and ending his 2024-25 season before it started.
“I had came in prepped for a big year, you know, to be able to lead the guys,” Johnson said. “And then going into that practice feeling good and then just leaving with an injury – it just kind of broke my heart.”
Joining the Owls as the highest-ranked prospect out of Alabama in 2023, Johnson’s freshman season had its highs and lows as part of an Owls team coming off the best season in program history followed by the loss of their coach and several key players.
As a freshman, Johnson appeared in 30 games, starting three and averaging 6.8 points per game with a high of 19 in a loss to Lipscomb.
There’s no question Johnson’s talent was there, it was just raw.
Johnson said following the injury, he had questioned if he’d ever be able to take the court again, but credited the team’s training staff for an effective recovery.
“That’s the first thing that happens, I was like will I ever be able to play again?” Johnson said. “But I knew the doctors [Mike Young and Nicolas Bonnaig], they had me so I knew I’d be good.”
While Johnson watched from the bench, the Kennesaw State men’s basketball put together its second-best season since making the transition to Division-I in 2006, finishing 19-14 and falling just short of an appearance in the Conference USA Tournament final.
Not able to continue his development physically, Johnson spent the season observing and growing mentally, while leaning on his support system.
“[I grew mentally] by just being able to see more on the court, but also leaning on family and just having a support system behind me,” Johnson said. “Injuries for everybody is tough when you just go so hard, you work your hardest to get somewhere and you end up having to leave with an injury.”
Aiding Johnson’s return will be rejoining a backcourt with CUSA Preseason Player of the Year, Simeon Cottle, with whom Johnson said he spent all offseason rebuilding chemistry with, both on and off the court.
“All summer we’ve been getting workouts in together, rebuilding that chemistry because we haven’t played together in almost two years,” Johnson said. “I feel like this year, us two, we’re going to put on a show for everybody.”
The last time Johnson stepped on the court in a competitive game, the Owls were still members of the Atlantic Sun Conference. Now getting his first shot in CUSA, Johnson said he’s ready to put opponents on notice.
“This conference hasn’t seen me yet, and I’m ready to put on a show,” Johnson said.
