Humble, outgoing, passionate, and creative are four words that junior forward Kennedy Johnson characterizes herself as. Johnson, who wears #21 for the Idaho women’s basketball team, has been a consistent player for the Vandals, but who is Johnson, and how did she get here?
Johnson attended a private school, Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, California, and had a great high school career and some memorable moments. For Johnson, her most memorable moment was after her team won the state championship in her sophomore year. She met some NBA superstars.
“After we won the state championship, we got invited to the Golden State Warriors practice where I got to meet and have conversations with Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry,” she said. “That was a surreal moment. Without basketball, it would have never happened.”
Johnson continued to excel at Bishop O’Dowd, committed and later signed to play at the University of California Santa Barbara. Johnson played two seasons for the Gauchos. In her freshman year, she played in 23 games and averaged three points and three rebounds per game. During her sophomore year, she improved, playing in 30 games and averaging 3.5 points per game.
After her sophomore season, Johnson thought it was time for a change. “After my sophomore year, I decided it was time for me to enter the portal. I thought it was the best for my education and basketball,” she said. “While in the portal, I got offered here to the University of Idaho. I really liked it, and after my visit, I committed and have been here ever since.”
Johnson had other offers, but in the end, she knew she wanted to be a Vandal.
“I was talking to some schools, but nothing came fully through that I wanted and was sure about,” she said. “Arthur (Moreira), one of our associate head coaches, recruited me out of high school. He reached out to me, and I was at the point of my recruitment in the transfer portal where I was just like, okay, I know him, I trust him, and I thought this was my best bet.”
Johnson has been great for the Vandals, starting all 25 games this season and averaging 13 points and eight rebounds a game. Aside from basketball and the classroom, Johnson enjoys a variety of things. “I love to hang out with friends, go to coffee shops, watch movies, listen to music, and read,” she said.
With the Vandals having a lot of road trips throughout the year, Johnson, like many athletes, has a go-to snack for those long hours on the road. “I would have to say Popcorn every time I go to the airport, I get popcorn and a coke.”
Playing for the Vandals draws a lot of emotions for players, and Johnson is no different.
“It has meant a lot to me in terms of my playing ability, and it has increased my confidence. It has also opened a lot of doors for me,” Johnson said.
Johnson was once an aspiring college basketball player and has some advice for the up-and-coming generation of basketball players.
“I think I would just say to be present in a moment. Don’t be in such a rush to think about where your future is, like where you’re heading in your future,” she said. “Take it one day at a time, one game at a time, and give yourself grace to not be too hard on yourself, everyone’s journey looks different.”
Johnson continues, “But I think if you just enjoy the process and enjoy where you’re at right now, and you do what you love, then you’ll be fine. The rest will solve itself, so I would say take it day by day because it goes by fast the ball is going to stop bouncing eventually. So, be grateful for every opportunity, but be in the moment and take it all in.”
Catch Johnson as she looks to lead the Vandals to a strong end of the regular season and take some momentum into the Big Sky tournament in a few weeks.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected] or on X @JaydenBarfuss10