Jan. 4, 2002

He has a name that is chanted by the student section every time he steps foot on the court and a constant smile that can light up an entire room. He is senior guard B.J. Johnson.

Johnson joined the Wildcats as a walk-on in 1999-2000 to fulfill a life-long dream of playing college basketball. He saw his first collegiate action on Dec. 11, 1999 against Penn State, and scored his first points the following season on Feb. 6 versus the University of Pennsylvania at the famed Palestra.

The hard work put in by Johnson led the Villanova coaches to award him a scholarship prior to 2001-2002 season. This season, he has taken the next step. Johnson has begun to play a key role off the Wildcat bench, seeing a career-high 24 minutes against Bucknell.

Johnson is the epitome of the word student-athlete. On the court, he gives every last bit of energy he has. Off the court, he gives his time back to the community he cares about so deeply. Meet crowd favorite B.J. Johnson and hear about his thoughts on life and basketball.

Q: When did you starting playing basketball? Did you ever think of playing basketball at the college level before you arrived at Villanova?

A: I actually started when I was 13, playing in the eighth grade. That is when I first started thinking about what it would be like playing at a higher level. I had a tape of the NBA All-Star Game and I would always watch it and think about what it would be like to play college basketball.

Q: Did you try out for the team as a freshman at Villanova?

A: I tried out my freshman year, but I got cut. I was really disappointed because I worked so hard and I thought I was going to make it. But it wasn't the right time for me. Looking back, it really was the best thing that could have happened to me. Because it gave me the chance to meet a lot of people and get involved in a number of different activities.

Q: What were your initial feelings when you first made the Villanova basketball team as a walk-on?

A: It was funny because I really didn't have to try out at all. I had been a manager for the women's basketball team and I guess Coach Perretta had mentioned my name to the coaches. I was working out in the gym running stairs, and they called me down from working out and told me. It was really wild. I jumped up and down, called me mom. It just kind of hit me all of a sudden. It took me about a week to really realize that this is what I had been working for.

Q: What kind of feelings did you have the first time you put on a Villanova uniform?

A: I remember the first time I put it on - it was Wildcat Roar. I looked at it and saw my name on the back. I was like, "this can't be real." It was unbelievable. Just thinking about all the guys who wore this Villanova uniform, I can't believe that I am really a part of this.

Q: What was it like stepping on the court for the first time and seeing your first action as a Wildcat player?

A: It was really crazy. Everyone was yelling my name and when I stepped out on the court I thought, "wow, this is crazy."

Q: In last season's game versus Penn at the Palestra, you came off the bench to score your first points in the final minute of the game. What was going through your mind when the ball went through the hoop?

A: First of all, I couldn't believe I had it in my hands. It happened so fast. I just happened to reach down and the ball was in my hands. I think I double-dribbled actually, but they didn't call it. I was down there and I thought, "should I dunk it or not." I thought about dunking it but I just went for the sure basket. I went into the crowd. I didn't even think about it. All of a sudden I just found myself in the crowd. I don't think the coaches liked it too much. It was alright though. It was a great feeling.

Q: What is it like being the crowd favorite and hearing your name chanted in the student section?

A: It's crazy. I guess I don't really see myself like that. But it is just like, "wow, is this really happening?...Do I deserve to be here?" But it is just by the grace of God that I have this opportunity. This had always been my dream. It is like I am living one right now.

Q: How did you get to be such a student favorite?

A: I don't know. I guess it's because I was involved in so many activities. I was a RA (resident advisor), I was president of an organization called Minority Engineers and Scientists. I did so many different things and was in a lot of different clubs, so I got the opportunity to talk to and meet a lot of different people. That is what helped me out probably the most. Sometimes people see the basketball team like just the basketball team and not as real people. But over the last year there has been a lot of interaction with the fans and the players. So when I go out on the court, it is like people already know me.

Q: What has it been like thus far playing for first year head coach Jay Wright?

A: He has been unbelievable. He is so genuine. Everything he says, he does. What you see is what you get. He teaches us so much not only about just basketball, but how to deal with people.

Q: What did it mean to you to have been awarded a scholarship this season for all of your hard work?

A: It really is a great honor. I remember senior year of high school I got hurt, and when all the recruiting was over I was kind of left out. Now five years later, it doesn't seem like this is all happening. So being awarded a scholarship is an unbelievable honor. But it helps out so much financially as well.

Q: How have you been able to make the transition from walk-on, to a player who now has claimed an expanded role off the bench?

A: It is nothing I did. Just a lot of praying and practicing everyday and working hard. When I play all those minutes I am like, "I don't know how these guys do it night in and night out." It takes a toll on you. It is different now. I am really starting to realize my expanded role. It took a little while, but now I am really starting to get a lot of minutes.

Q: What do you feel your role is and what do you try to do to help the team out when you get in the game?

A: As coach says. My role is to bring energy off the bench, grab offensive rebounds, dive for loose balls. I just want to do whatever I possibly can to help the team out, gets guys to play hard, and be vocal.

Q: Being a well-rounded student-athlete who is very involved in the community off of the court, what is the importance of community service to you and what are some of the programs and projects you have been involved in?

A: That is probably the most important thing to me. I talk to kids a lot and tell them to stay in school, achieve their dreams and reach their goals. I always wished I had somebody to talk to me about things like that. So I take this opportunity as a blessing.

Q: Have you thought about what you want to do with your life after college?

A: I think about that a lot. I have thought about law school. But if I had the chance to play at a higher level I would. If I had a chance for this dream to continue it would be great. If I have come this far, why not see how far I can take it.