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Jackson State's Trey Johnson to Enter NBA Draft

By Ja'Nekia Barton
Black College Wire

Photo credit: Blue & White Flash Trey Johnson said of his plans to enter the NBA draft: "The coaching staff and my family thought it was the right decision." The draft is June 28 in New York.

With the support of fans, family, coaches and teammates, Trey Johnson, a junior at Jackson State University and the Tigers' leading scorer, announced he will declare for the 2006 NBA draft.

"I've been thinking about entering the draft since about three-fourth(s) through the season," Johnson said at a March 24 news conference. "The coaching staff and my family thought it was the right decision."

The draft is scheduled June 28 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Johnson's mother, Phyllis Johnson, said, "He has promised me that no matter what happens, he would go back to get his degree. He has not signed with an agent. We just felt it was the right decision to test the waters." Clinton Johnson Jr. said he thought his son was better at baseball.

Under NCAA rules, student athletes must have completed at least 60 percent of their work toward a degree to be eligible to compete as juniors. They may declare for the draft once in their careers without jeopardizing their amateur status, and can return to collegiate sports if they are not drafted.

Johnson was the second leading scorer in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and ranked eighth in scoring among all Division I NCAA players. At Jackson State, Johnson led the Tigers, averaging 23 points per game.

The 6-foot-5 guard said he was confident about his chances after conversations with many people, including some in the NBA. Although he played a combination guard in college, he said he thought he would enter the draft as a point guard because of his size and shooting ability.

The Tigers' head coach, Tevester Anderson, said, "I'm happy for him to be pursing his dream. He has the opportunity to have his life dream come true."

Johnson's former teammates attended the news conference to show their support.

"I feel like he made the right decision. He has everything it takes to make it. I support him 100 percent," point guard Dakarai Wallace said.

Julius Young, Tiger forward and former teammate at Jackson's Murrah High School, said, "I feel great about the decision. He is my childhood friend. I wish him the best."

Ja'Nekia Barton, a student at Jackson State University, writes for the Blue & White Flash.

Posted March 27, 2006