By AJ Voepel
3,000 miles away from his hometown of Brooklyn, New York, Dane Johnson stood in unfamiliar territory. Mt. San Jacinto College in California was not where the 6’10, 290 forward was supposed to end up after a fine high school career. Two years, a healthy knee and a journey more improbable than a George Mason final four run later, Johnson has finally made it to Hofstra.
Flashback four years ago to DJ’s senior year of high school; a time which was spent crushing the post-season dreams of highly-touted New York City programs. Take Grady High School for example. Dane Johnson is the guy who dunked Robeson past top-seeded Grady in the Brooklyn Borough Championship Tournament (as time expired).
Oh yeah, Dane Johnson is also the man who trumped Montclair (N.J.) in the East Orange Basketball Tournament championship with a similar put back as the buzzer sounded.
Unfortunately, that same season, Dane tweaked his knee.
And with bad news came more bad news, he had to undergo surgery after his senior campaign.
This is what prompted him make quick, crucial decisions. Hofstra or Junior College? Play or don’t play? Let the knee heal and work on the game or red shirt and veg out on the end of the bench?
The verdict: Mt. San Jacinto College in California.
“It was a personal decision,” Johnson said. “It was a place I could go and let my skills develop.”
It was in California where he picked up where he left off in high school. Although his playing time was limited (still recovering from knee surgery) he helped lead the Eagles to the regional finals and a No.1 ranking in the state his following year. He left MSJC with a 42-25 record but more importantly, confidence.
Fast forward to September 2007. “He came into camp a little overweight,” said all-time Hofstra scoring leader and team captain, Antoine Agudio. “We knew he was capable of great things, but he needed to work real hard.”
It took a little time for Dane to adjust to big time college hoops. Going from JC to D1 is like riding a four-speed Huffy to driving a V8 Mustang in the matter of five months.
It’s so much of an upgrade that he wasn’t starting at the beginning of the year, although he was one of the biggest guys on the team. “My teammates and coaches kept me motivated early in the season,” Johnson said, after being asked how he stayed focus. “They made me improve.”
His first start didn’t come until December 1, a game in which the Pride lost a heartbreaker 87-83 to conference foe UNC- Wilmington.”I knew he had it in him to become a starter,” Agudio said. “He’s had that type of potential since he’s came here.”
Even after getting the starting nod, his inconsistent play limited him to nine and a half minutes a game over the next 10 contests.But someone or something must of shook him up because in the next game against George Mason, Dane lit it up with a line that read: 12 points, 14 boards, and eight blocks. Easily the best outing of his career.
And let us not forget. Unlike most (or all) D1 ballers, Dane didn’t pick up a rock until he was 15. He’s only had six years to evolve into what Agudio calls him, “a true low post presence.”
Aside from his monster drop steps, thunderous dunks and crack-the-window screams, after those thunderous dunks,
DJ is soft spoken. Just speaking with him gives you a sense of his shyness. Asked who was responsible for his introduction to round ball, he took a second, and calmly answered, “Shaq.”
Even though the Pride struggled to gain W’s this winter, knowing they have one of the most improved big men in the conference next year will make Coach Pecora and company sleep a little easier. “We give the guy a lot of credit,” Agudio said. “He’s worked his butt off.”
Toward the stretch of the season, Dane had two games with seven blocks and averaged seven rebounds his last 11 games. Along with other fowards Darren Townes and Greg Washington, Hofstra tied for the league lead in rebounding with 37 a game and led the conference in blocks with 5.6 a game (Dane led the team with 59).
“My teammates pushed me the whole season,” Johnson said, sneaking in a grin.
And for once in his life, Dane Johnson can finally be, where Dane Johnson wants to be.