Once again, a sea of blue and orange took over the St. Kevin Catholic Academy, Flushing, gymnasium for the annual sports clinic with the pros.
On Jan. 6, former New York Knicks star power forward Larry Johnson was this year’s special guest. The clinic has been a mainstay at the parish since 2010 and has featured the likes of Knicks greats Bernard King, John Starks, and Walt “Clyde” Frazier.
Nearly 75 children from grades pre-K through eighth grade took part in basketball drills with the 6-foot, 7-inch “LJ” looming. Johnson’s positive energy left everyone in the gym with a smile as infectious as his.
“I want to keep giving back to the community as often as I can and for as long as I can,” said John Bonanno, the St. Kevin’s Youth Guild sports clinic director. “It’s a good thing for the kids to have. I want to keep this going for the kids of the school and give them some lasting memories.”
Johnson began the day by answering questions about his playing career. The 54-year-old native of Dallas was primarily a football player growing up but made the permanent switch to the hardcourt — a decision that resulted in him being named a McDonald’s All-American as a senior in 1987.
After winning an NCAA Tournament championship in 1990 under the great Jerry Tarkanian at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Johnson was the No. 1 overall pick of the Charlotte Hornets in the 1991 NBA Draft. The two-time NBA All-Star established himself as one of the top power forwards in the league during five seasons in Charlotte.
Prior to the 1996 season, the Hornets traded Johnson — fresh off his appearance in the movie “Space Jam” — to the Knicks. He’ll always be remembered for his famous four-point play in the closing seconds of Game 3 of the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. The made free throw was the winning score in the Knicks’ 92-91 victory.
As he spoke about his 10-year pro career to the kids, Johnson focused on the relationships he formed being his most cherished memories. Before signing autographs and posing for photos, Johnson shared some parting words of wisdom.
“The best advice I ever got was to work hard and never give up,” said Johnson, a member of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame and Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
“There’s no magic wand. It’s all about the love of the game and just having fun. At this age right here, just have fun. Fall in love with the game first, and you’ll keep getting better.”
The young athletes — though they never actually saw him play — surely learned a thing or two from this former pro.
“With dedication, practice, and hard work, you can do anything,” said Nico Bolkovic, a seventh grader at St. Kevin’s. “I wish every kid could have this same opportunity that I had. It inspires me to see NBA players who were stars in this gym.”
The annual clinic event with a pro creates hoops fans for life, and there’s no doubt Johnson and the Knicks gained some spirited new supporters that day.
