Look out world, Pepperdine guard Terrance Johsno, and his distinct Southern style, is ready to put Waves basketball on the map.
By Kyle Jorrey
Sports Editor
In the day and age of “trash talk,” where athletes constantly jaw back at one another with insults and taunts during the course of a game, Terrance Johnson seems more content just letting his basketball skills speak for themselves.
With a deep voice and a thick Southern drawl, Johnson, the Dallas native, might just figure he should keep his mouth shut rather than worry about something getting lost in the translation.
“Naw wha’ I’m sayin’?”
But one thing that takes no deciphering is Johnson’s game, which is undoubtedly one word: sick.
About to begin his third year as a member of the Waves, this 20-year-old two-guard with a 40-inch vertical has garnished a reputation as an ultra-energetic scorer whose leaping ability can get Pepperdine fans out of their seats faster than an In-N-Out giveaway.
He’s been known to JOHNSON
leave more than one
WCC defender staring up at his shorts, with Johnson looking down from high above the rim.
Number 20 came to Pepperdine with the highly touted recruiting class of 2000, which included current teammates Rob Turner and Glen McGowan. After red-shirting his freshman year, Johnson promptly came out in 2001 and smacked the WCC square across the jaw. Few Wave faithful have forgotten the 23-point effort he put up against Gonzaga at home (the last Pepperdine victory against the Zags) en route to taking home WCC “Freshman of the Year” honors that season.
“(Redshirting) after the fact, benefited me a lot,” Johnson said. “It allowed me to work on my shot and become a better shooter, especially from three-point range … plus, sitting out for a season got me real hungry. I came into that season thinking, ‘one way or another, they are going to find out about me.’”
And they did, in a big way.
Then last year, in an injury-plagued season for the Waves, Johnson stepped up his game even further. He averaged 15 points a contest and was near the top of the conference in three-point baskets and three-point shooting percentage. Despite the team’s failure to secure a bid to the NCAA tournament, Johnson was selected all-WCC first team and continued to gain national attention.
But if you get to know Johnson, you’ll learn personal accolades mean very little. Instead, after two years of NCAA tournament setbacks (Pepperdine lost in round 1 to Wake Forest Johnson’s freshman season), this Southern swingman is ready to take the Waves back to the tourney, and this time, come away with some victories.
“I think this year’s team got a chance to be one of the best in Pepperdine history, to get even farther than the 1999-2000 team that advanced to the second round of the tournament,” Johnson said. “I think we can put Pepperdine basketball on the map … and I take full responsibility as a leader on this team.”
A Great Big State
Johnson was born and raised in the “great state of Texas,” in the city of Dallas. He’s the baby of his family; both is brother and sister are in their 30s. Being in Texas, his first love was football. In fact, he didn’t play his first game of organized basketball until seventh grade.
“I actually started out playing quarterback for the football team, but that year in middle school I figured out basketball is what I really wanted to do,” Johnson said.
Taking notice of the advice of his older brother, Johnson quickly developed the kind of work ethic coaches dream about. Soon, he was spending all his free time developing his game.
“My brother got me playing sports, and he taught me, ‘if you’re going to do it, do it right and be the best at it,’” Johnson said. “And to be the best you have to do your best. I know someone is out there working so I have to work even harder.”
After a successful career at Duncanville High School, an athletic juggernaut in the Dallas area, Johnson was recruited by a number of schools, but he opted to stay away from big-time programs and instead chose Pepperdine.
Not one to be shy about his roots, Johnson brought his “dirty south” swagger with him.
“Basically, I came out with the same attitude I had down there, I didn’t change the way I acted or my appearance because I came out here,” he said. “A lot of people come out and try to adapt to the California lifestyle, and nothing wrong with that, I just love where I’m from, and I’m not trying to be someone I’m not. I’m not trying to fake it.”
One thing that can’t be faked are Johnson’s 11 different tattoos, most of which have something to do with his Texas upbringing. He got his first after his redshirt year, and he hasn’t stop getting them since.
“I get them for me, most of them have some kind of meaning,” Johnson said. “I know they’re there, that’s all that matters.”
Johnson said he talks with friends or family from back home at least once a day, to make sure they know what’s up with him, and to keep up to date on local gossip. He said that though he’s happy at Pepperdine, his heart still lies in the South.
“There’s a lot that I miss about back home, the food, the atmosphere, friends,” Johnson said. “People are different and there is more of a laid back atmosphere. And the food, the barbecue… that just can’t be imitated.”
Showtime
To coin Johnson a “showtime” player would be an understatement. The guy defines the high-energy, high-flying basketball style of the 21st century. With his long-distance range and dazzling jumping ability, Johnson quickly became a Pepperdine fan favorite. So much so, that Waves’ fans have come to expect a “TJ” highlight at least once a game.
Johnson doesn’t mind obliging their needs.
“When I make a big play I’m not thinking I’m going to do this to please the crowd,” Johnson said. “But after the fact I’m glad I did that because now the crowd is more into the game, and it makes them want to come back for more.”
Each year, Pepperdine’s best passers have found Johnson a more than adequate target, going on the break or going up for the alley-oop. They know if they put it close, Johnson will finish the job.
“If that ball is anywhere between a foot of the rim and I get my hands on it, I’m going to finish the dunk,” he said.
But fans also appreciate Johnson’s energy, the way he floats around the court and the willingness he has to sacrifice his body for a loose ball. Last year, after getting bumped out of bounds on the opponent side of the ball, Johnson quickly made his way up the sidelines out of bounds, leaped over the opponent’s bench, received the pass and calmly knocked down the trey.
But that is just the way the man plays basketball.
“I’m thinking every game I’m going to do whatever it takes to help us win,” Johnson said. “Whether its scoring, shooting, passing, whatever, I want to see this team win.”
Fans appreciate his effort, and Johnson, in turn appreciates his fans.
“My relationship with the fans is real good,” he said. “I’m happy to see the fans who come out consistently, and I let them know that. I encourage them to show up to the women’s games too, cause they need the support as much as us… I can’t say I wouldn’t love to have more fans, but I love the fans we got.”
The Road Ahead
After getting a bid to the NCAA tournament his freshman year, and then missing out in 2003, Johnson is determined to get this year’s Waves’ squad back in the national spotlight. And with the supporting cast around him, things, as of now are looking bright.
Head Coach Paul Westphal has been watching Johnson’s progress since his freshmen year, when he gave the guard his first shot to stake his claim as a big-time ball player. Johnson did not disappoint.
“Terrance is an obviously gifted athlete and is bless with outstanding leaping ability and three-point shooting,” Westphal said. “He has worked hard to improve his ball-handling ability and defense, and I am anxious to him display his skills as on of the best players in the WCC.”
Between himself and last year’s “Freshman of the Year,” Alex Acker, Pepperdine might have the best backcourt in the WCC, and maybe, according to Johnson, on the West Coast.
“Where else are you going to find a backcourt with two, 6’5” guards, that are as athletic as Al (Acker) and I?” Johnson asked. “I’m a scorer, he’s a scorer. I think we’re just going to feed off of each other… And when I need to, I’ll be the one to penetrate and kick out to Al so he can score. We’re both going to do whatever we are called on to do.”
Acker agreed.
“It feels like Terrance and I have been playing together a lot longer then a year the way we work on the floor,” Acker said. “He knows what I’m going to do and I know what he’s going to do … sometimes it feels like every time I get the ball to him I get an assist. Terrance has got an all-around game.”
Individually, the junior believes the work he did in the off-season should help to keep him a few steps ahead of the rest of the conference.
“Not to sound cocky, but right now I don’t think there’ s anyone out there in WCC right now that can stop me, “ he said. “At least that’s my mindset… every time I step out on the floor I’m thinking I can take anyone out here.”
Johnson said this year’s team is a far cry from those of the past two seasons. This time around, said Johnson, there are four or five solid leaders that have the respect of their teammates and can step up and take reigns if needed. He also sees an even greater determination not to fail.
“We’ve got a team full of players who are ready to come play ball everyday,” Johnson said. “This team has got a new attitude and everyone’s head is on straight.
“A lot of the guys that don’t have the experience, they’re hungry, they’re ready to get things going,” he added. “It’s not going to take much to get these guys motivated.”
But what about Gonzaga, the Waves greatest rival and preseason No. 1 pick in the WCC. After suffering two blowouts against the Zags last year, and knowing that they’ve only seen improvement, Johnson remains confident with his team’s chances to end the Gonzaga losing slide.
“Gonzaga is a great team, it’s a great rivalry,” he said. “But this year we have the size and quickness to bang with them and keep them off the boards. If we stay focused and play our game, I think we could be able to knock them off both times.”
With only three weeks before the start of season, this Texas star is trying to keep himself calm before the flurry he and the Waves are waiting to unleash opening night. When he’ s not in the gym, chances are he’s on the couch, playing video games, talking on his two-way or catching any kind of basketball action he can (“I even watch the WNBA, I just love basketball”).
When asked if he will continue to remain the strong and silent type, Johnson said it’s only a matter of where you catch him.
“I can be quiet, but it depends on my surroundings,” Johnson admitted. “But when I’m comfortable, when I’m around friends, I open up. When I’m not in the public eye, I just like to calm and chill.
“I think people know about me what they need to know,” he added. “I’m not going be providing any stories. What they see, that’s me. I don’t really hide anything from anybody.”
Who’s going to argue with that? Naw wha’ I’m sayin’?
October 30, 2003