When others would wake up and get ready for school with 10 minutes left to spare, Bonard Johnson Jr. was up at 5 a.m., training at the gym with his dad.
When Johnson and his sister were toddlers, they experienced a time of homelessness as their mother and father worked hard to find their next home. Through this period they were mostly able to stay with different family members before finding a home of their own in the next four or five years.
With six brothers and sisters, and his father having a disability, Johnson believes it is important that he is able to be there for his family and help out in any way that he can. He holds his family as his top priority along with his basketball career.
Johnson dedicates his growing success to his family, especially his father who has been supportive and by his side every step of the way during his sports career.
“A lot of kids that come here don’t really have a dad like mine, so having him here is a blessing,” Johnson said. “Sometimes when I doubted myself he was there telling me you can do this, you can do that. Because other people say you can’t do this or that, but he was there and pushed me to be the best that I can be. I don’t know any other dads that do that.”
Since he was a young boy playing basketball with his “jersey falling off his shoulder and all”, Long Beach City College’s head basketball coach, Barry Barnes saw great potential in this year’s point and shooting guard.
Raised in Long Beach, he’s grateful to be able to start his college basketball career at a community college in order to perfect his technique before transferring to a Division I or II school.
“I already had good skills and all that,” Johnson said, “but I could always be better.”
The mural that wraps around the Hall of Champions Gymnasium at LBCC actually holds a picture of Johnson, alongside a handful of other students.
His dedication to the sport and encouragement from his father are what motivates him to stay focused on his vision of one day playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
This last summer, Johnson played with the Drew League, a summer basketball institution in Southern California that brings together select students, overseas players, Los Angeles streetball favorites, NBA players and former pro athletes.
This pro-am summer league consists of 28 invitation only teams that battle it out on the court.
The summer league gives players from all levels the chance to work together and teach each other more than just skills on the court, and all of this is offered at no cost for those selected to participate.
Of those that Johnson was able to play with, he noted Jordan Bell being one of the most memorable players as he currently plays for the Guangzhou Loong Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association.
Johnson Sr. spoke highly of his son’s dedication while still being able to give priority to his family. Watching his children bond and experience life as a deeply connected unit is what life is all about according to him.
“My whole motivation in life was to be the father that I never had, so I felt like we connected in a sport that I wanted to play in my whole life,” Johnson Sr. said.
Johnson Sr. is currently taking classes at Long Beach City College in order to complete his general education with aspirations of becoming a basketball coach someday.
“I feel like the next generation is gonna be alright, he’s a good young man,” Johnson Sr. said.
Being able to play basketball while continuously pouring love and time into his family is what Johnson does everyday, and these are the steps and motivation he uses to advance his career to the next level.