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PROVO - Former BYU great Danny Ainge is known for being able to assemble together top NBA talent. Since orchestrating bold moves in 2007 where the Boston Celtics acquired NBA All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, the franchise has competed in two NBA Finals and won an NBA Championship.
Around the same time he made those trades, someone else caught Ainge's eye. While in his office, Ainge saw a high-school aged, African-American young man perform a dazzling move on the court of the Celtics' practice facility. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ainge asked the young man, Jordan Johnson, to come speak with him in his office.
"He started to talk about college and I told him about a couple schools that were looking at me at that time," Johnson said. "He told me then to look into BYU."
"I was like, ‘You're going to pick the Mormon school? You don't even know anything about that,'" Jenevia said. "But Jordan just loves that family environment. Like at Brooks you could leave your phone in the cafeteria and come back the next day it's still there. That wouldn't happen at UConn."
Although Johnson admits BYU is "not his demographic" being African-American and having a Baptist upbringing, he eventually committed to the Cougars because he said the school had his "best interests in mind" on and off the field. He ultimately changed his sport of preference to football, and despite having a plethora of physical talent, Johnson says his decision to come to BYU wasn't all about sports.
"My mom was real influential," Johnson said. "She was like 'it's a good school, there will be less distractions ... Ultimately it was my decision and here I'll get a quality education."
After redshirting his freshman year, the defensive back is now competing for the starting spot Brian Logan left by graduating. He's been told he has the athleticism to grab that position, but he's not taking anything for granted; a perspective his family has helped him develop throughout his athletic pursuits.
Johnson's physical talents were evident from a young age. His father, Kevin Johnson, played Division-II football at American International College and participated in the New England Patriots' camp in 1983. As Jordan participated in youth sport leagues in Springfield, Mass., Kevin was impressed by his son's talent.
"He was excelling from the beginning," the senior Johnson said. "In basketball he would be taking the ball the full length of the floor at the age of four … In little league baseball he was the shortstop and he fully extended to backhand the ball. I had worked with him in football and I could see he had the talent."
Johnson's younger sister Jenevia Johnson remembers the same. Although Jenevia describes Jordan as a laid-back, "sit on the couch" type of guy, she says when he gets on the field things change.
"He's always been the star," Jenevia says. "It's always been like that."
"My mom is a real stickler when it comes to academics," Jordan said. "She made me wear my jersey, go to the game and tell my coach I couldn't play, while I watched the entire game on the sidelines."
However when asked if it ever goes to Jordan's head, Jenevia laughs.
"Oh no, there's a solution to that," Jenevia said. "It's called ‘Pamela Johnson.'"
Jordan admits his mother, Pamela, has been someone who has kept him grounded. He remembers in the eighth grade he participated in a suburban youth football league. Before his first playoff game, his excitement for the contest quickly turned to disappointment, after he brought home a dismal academic progress report.
"My mom is a real stickler when it comes to academics," Jordan said. "She made me wear my jersey, go to the game and tell my coach I couldn't play, while I watched the entire game on the sidelines."
Pamela says she pushes her son like she does because of his personality.
"I have to light a fire under him," Pamela said. "He's just reserved and it takes a lot for him to get going. Like in football, he's quick and he's fast, but he's quickest and fastest when he's chasing someone, not when he's being chased. He likes being the underdog."
"Sitting out for a year is hard," Jordan said. "I'm just looking forward to playing again."
Pamela's influence on Jordan eventually led to him enrolling in Brooks Preparatory School outside Boston. The prestigious prep school is where Jordan boarded for his sophomore to senior years, excelling in basketball and football. The atmosphere there somewhat prepared him for the Honor Code at BYU as the school also abided by a strict code. Jacket and tie had to be worn daily, school was six days a week and all students were mandated to attend chapel service.
During his time at Brooks, Jordan's parents also filed for divorce, causing him to turn to coaches for support. Head football coach Alex Konovalchik says the school offered a familial environment he believes Jordan was looking for.
"I think the family component of Brooks was important to him," Konovalchik said. "For example, he called my wife ‘Mama K.' He also really enjoyed coming to see my sons' games. It was surprising to me that he'd take the time to do that."
Jenevia agrees Jordan is "family first." She believes the family feel is also the reason Jordan eventually committed to the Cougars, as she admits she was shocked he enrolled at BYU after also being recruited heavily by UConn and Boston College.
"I was like, ‘You're going to pick the Mormon school? You don't even know anything about that,'" Jenevia said. "But Jordan just loves that family environment. Like at Brooks you could leave your phone in the cafeteria and come back the next day it's still there. That wouldn't happen at UConn."
Kevin and Pamela say they aren't surprised Jordan fits in where some may say he shouldn't. Jordan reiterates they taught him to not see color, but rather focus on someone's character.
Currently, Jordan says he is adjusting to BYU life after being here a semester. He notes although his classes are challenging, not being able to play football because he was redshirting was even more difficult.
"Sitting out for a year is hard," Jordan said. "I'm just looking forward to playing again."
