When the snow piled up and the winds dropped chills to seemingly unlivable levels, Wesley Johnson often asked himself one question: How in the world did he end up in Central New York sitting out one college basketball season that seemed like five before he could play this year for Syracuse?
Even now, eligible to play and having taken one of the most competitive basketball conferences - as well as the nation - by storm with his athleticism and aerial assaults, Johnson wonders how a kid from Corsicana, Texas, found himself so far from home and on the Hill.
?I wonder that all the time, like, my journey has been so crazy,? Johnson said by phone late last week while fighting lingering effects of the flu. ?You never know what's going to happen, so you just have to believe in yourself.?
And believe that wherever your basketball odyssey might take you is a positive path. Johnson was a gangly 6-foot-2 high school guard whose only college scholarship offer was from Louisiana-Monroe. He bounced around a couple of prep schools before finally landing at some place called Eldon Academy in Petoskey, Mich. His play up there helped earn a scholarship to Iowa State, where Johnson enjoyed two solid seasons.
A Big 12 all-freshman selection after averaging 12.3 points and 7.9 rebounds, Johnson put up a steady 12.4 points as a sophomore. He felt his talents could be further tapped. He could do more on both ends of the floor, but he was playing in a system that seemingly kept the handcuffs on. Johnson and Cyclones coach Greg McDermott sometimes didn't agree on his role, his shot selection or his play, but did agree that it was best that Johnson find a new home.
Believing he could play in a big-time league, Johnson looked hard at the Big East. His short wish list of landing destinations included Pittsburgh, Syracuse and West Virginia. He took only one trip before finding a home.
Still, sitting out last season would be the ultimate test. Practices were his games as he worked to become more of a complete player. But he never truly felt a part of it.
Teammates would return from league road trips with tales of what it was like to play away from the Carrier Dome. The energy of the fans in other buildings. The feeling of quieting a hostile crowd and getting a win in a place where no one offered more than a courtesy clap. There was, they insisted, nothing like it.
Prohibited from traveling with the team under NCAA transfer regulations, Johnson tried to take it all in, but often tuned it out.
?Man, that still hurts me,? he said of sitting out. ?I'd sit by myself in my apartment and watch games and the guys would come back and tell me about it.?
Meanwhile, coach Jim Boeheim quietly was telling everyone around the league about this No. 4, this transfer from Iowa State who wasn't on any big schools' radar coming out of high school. He was a lanky 6-7 small forward who could play in the post, handle the ball and make shots from all spots. He could, Boeheim believed, become something special.
Once his season on the sideline had ended and Johnson was finally able to suit up for the Orange, he almost passed out during the first exhibition game.
?I lost my breath the first time I ran down the court,? he said. ?I had to settle down. It was definitely worth the wait.?
As January passes its halfway point and conference play heats up, Johnson has cemented himself as a league player of the year candidate for the No. 5 Orange (17-1 overall, 4-1 Big East) who visit Purcell Pavilion on Monday (7 p.m., ESPN) to face Notre Dame (14-4, 3-2). With Eric Devendorf, Jonny Flynn and Eric Harris all gone from last year's team, the Orange have had better chemistry and success with Johnson doing a little of everything.
He leads the team in scoring (16.8), rebounding (8.8), dunks (24) and minutes (33.0). Johnson, who has averaged 37.2 minutes a game this month, also has eight double-doubles. He could work his high-wire and open-floor act against the Irish, who really have no one on the roster that can guard him for a full 40 minutes.
?He's a long, long athletic player,? said Irish guard Ben Hansbrough, who likely would merit top billing as the league's top transfer if not for Johnson. ?He may be one of the best athletes in the country.?
Even now, eligible to play and having taken one of the most competitive basketball conferences - as well as the nation - by storm with his athleticism and aerial assaults, Johnson wonders how a kid from Corsicana, Texas, found himself so far from home and on the Hill.
?I wonder that all the time, like, my journey has been so crazy,? Johnson said by phone late last week while fighting lingering effects of the flu. ?You never know what's going to happen, so you just have to believe in yourself.?
And believe that wherever your basketball odyssey might take you is a positive path. Johnson was a gangly 6-foot-2 high school guard whose only college scholarship offer was from Louisiana-Monroe. He bounced around a couple of prep schools before finally landing at some place called Eldon Academy in Petoskey, Mich. His play up there helped earn a scholarship to Iowa State, where Johnson enjoyed two solid seasons.
A Big 12 all-freshman selection after averaging 12.3 points and 7.9 rebounds, Johnson put up a steady 12.4 points as a sophomore. He felt his talents could be further tapped. He could do more on both ends of the floor, but he was playing in a system that seemingly kept the handcuffs on. Johnson and Cyclones coach Greg McDermott sometimes didn't agree on his role, his shot selection or his play, but did agree that it was best that Johnson find a new home.
Believing he could play in a big-time league, Johnson looked hard at the Big East. His short wish list of landing destinations included Pittsburgh, Syracuse and West Virginia. He took only one trip before finding a home.
Still, sitting out last season would be the ultimate test. Practices were his games as he worked to become more of a complete player. But he never truly felt a part of it.
Teammates would return from league road trips with tales of what it was like to play away from the Carrier Dome. The energy of the fans in other buildings. The feeling of quieting a hostile crowd and getting a win in a place where no one offered more than a courtesy clap. There was, they insisted, nothing like it.
Prohibited from traveling with the team under NCAA transfer regulations, Johnson tried to take it all in, but often tuned it out.
?Man, that still hurts me,? he said of sitting out. ?I'd sit by myself in my apartment and watch games and the guys would come back and tell me about it.?
Meanwhile, coach Jim Boeheim quietly was telling everyone around the league about this No. 4, this transfer from Iowa State who wasn't on any big schools' radar coming out of high school. He was a lanky 6-7 small forward who could play in the post, handle the ball and make shots from all spots. He could, Boeheim believed, become something special.
Once his season on the sideline had ended and Johnson was finally able to suit up for the Orange, he almost passed out during the first exhibition game.
?I lost my breath the first time I ran down the court,? he said. ?I had to settle down. It was definitely worth the wait.?
As January passes its halfway point and conference play heats up, Johnson has cemented himself as a league player of the year candidate for the No. 5 Orange (17-1 overall, 4-1 Big East) who visit Purcell Pavilion on Monday (7 p.m., ESPN) to face Notre Dame (14-4, 3-2). With Eric Devendorf, Jonny Flynn and Eric Harris all gone from last year's team, the Orange have had better chemistry and success with Johnson doing a little of everything.
He leads the team in scoring (16.8), rebounding (8.8), dunks (24) and minutes (33.0). Johnson, who has averaged 37.2 minutes a game this month, also has eight double-doubles. He could work his high-wire and open-floor act against the Irish, who really have no one on the roster that can guard him for a full 40 minutes.
?He's a long, long athletic player,? said Irish guard Ben Hansbrough, who likely would merit top billing as the league's top transfer if not for Johnson. ?He may be one of the best athletes in the country.?
