Biography
By Jim Hague
It’s been a long, strange trip through college basketball for Kendra Johnson, but she’s finally found a home at Rutgers-Newark.
Johnson went from a fine career at Lenape High School in southern New Jersey, but then went to Burlington County Community College as a freshman. She averaged 17 points per game and led the nation in steals among junior colleges.
“Out of high school, I was supposed to go to Temple, but I didn’t have the grades,” Johnson said. “I went to Burlington for one year, but needed more of a challenge.”
So as a sophomore, Johnson transferred to Union County College, where she averaged 18 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.4 steals per game, earning All-Garden State and second team All-Region 19 honors.
At that time, the Rutgers-Newark coaching staff, especially assistant Jim Bagli, went to recruit two Union County College players, namely Johnson and Lori Nieves. The Scarlet Raiders had success with UCC players in the past, most notably former standout shooting guard Martyna Ruminska.
“Coach Bagli came to see a few of our games,” Johnson said. “I knew that they were interested in me.”
But so was the University of District of Columbia, an NCAA Division II school that offered scholarships.
“It was a chance for me to go to school for free,” Johnson said. “I was happy with the school’s basketball program.”
So as a junior, Johnson played for the University of D.C., averaging 10.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
But Johnson wasn’t happy.
“The school wasn’t challenging enough for my major,” said Johnson, who is working towards a degree in journalism and media studies. “I wanted my education to mean something.”
So for the fourth time in four years, the nomadic Johnson was set to transfer once again.
“I remembered Coach Bagli being interested in me,” Johnson said. “I knew Rutgers-Newark was a good school. It was close to home. It was a perfect fit.”
Rutgers-Newark head coach Kevin Morris knew that his program was undergoing an upheaval, especially in the backcourt. So he was happy to know that Johnson was willing to transfer to R-N and play her final collegiate season with the Scarlet Raiders.
“We recruited her coming out of Union County College two years ago, so we were familiar with her,” Morris said. “When she called us, I didn’t ask questions why she wanted to leave the University of D.C. She said she wanted to play closer to home and that basically was all I needed to hear. She’s been a tremendously welcome addition to our program.”
The speedy Johnson has become the Scarlet Raiders’ leading scorer, averaging 14.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest. She’s also shown a propensity to hit the long-range shot, making good on 29 3-point attempts.
More importantly, Johnson has provided stability in the Scarlet Raiders’ backcourt.
“She can play the one (point guard) or the two (shooting guard) very well,” Morris said. “As a point guard, she can deliver the ball and she also has the ability to score. She’s given us an element we didn’t have. She can handle the ball all game and create shots for others, or she can score and put up games in the 20s. I knew she had that ability and that’s why when we first recruited her, we went after her hard.”
Johnson is one of the key reasons why the Scarlet Raiders have enjoyed a surprising 15-6 record thus far, with a 6-4 New Jersey Athletic Conference mark that places R-N right in the mix for another NJAC playoff berth.
“We knew she was a talented player, but we didn’t know she could have games where she scored 28 or 29,” Morris said. “We did know she was talented offensively and that she could be a major contributor.”
Johnson didn’t know how she would fare as a player at R-N.
“I wasn’t sure,” Johnson said. “It was all new to me. I didn’t know anyone except (former UCC teammate) Lori (Nieves). I didn’t know what role I would have with the team. But after a while, I got more comfortable and I’m glad with the way it worked out. I am a senior and my teammates look to me. I absolutely love that. I always wanted to be a leader.”
Johnson likes the relationship she has developed with sophomore ShaQuanna Marshall, who has a style of play that is very similar to the way Johnson plays.
“I always wanted to have a little partner in crime,” Johnson said of Marshall, who is second on the team in scoring. “It’s nice to have someone who plays like you. We basically interchange each other. I absolutely love it. It’s worked our really well.”
“It gives us a lot of freedom and definitely gives us a dangerous combination in the backcourt,” Morris said. “They have a good partnership.”
Morris knows the value of having Johnson.
“No question, she’s a major reason why we have 15 wins and we’re where we are,” Morris said. “She’s been a tremendous addition. She plays hard every single game and gives us high energy. She also does it on the defensive end. One of her biggest assets is that she gets points off her defense and that’s vitally important to us.”
Johnson will likely pursue a career in either sports or entertainment journalism, but she will also consider work in the public relations or advertising fields.
“I like to write and I feel like I know a lot about sports and entertainment,” Johnson said. “I’m not sure where it will lead me, but it’s something I want to get into, because it’s what I know.”
In the meantime, Johnson will continue to lead her fourth team in four years, but it’s a team she feels comfortable with.
“It’s a good feeling to know I’m doing what I’m doing,” Johnson said. “I just try to come out each game, each practice, and play hard. But I love this team. I really love these girls to death. I made the right choice coming here. I just hope they can follow my lead and help us continue to win.”
