Pro Pursuit
Java Johnson gives up her last year of basketball eligibilty to pursue a professional volleyball career

By Maggie Thach

It’s a decision that has been weighing heavily on her mind, like a burden that’s been placed on her shoulders and hasn’t been relieved until recently.

The questions on Java Johnson’s mind aren’t typical of a fifth-year information systems major.

“ Where do I apply for jobs after graduation?” “Do I want to stay in Fresno?” “How am I going to make my living?” These questions don’t even faze her. She doesn’t even flinch.

“ Should I pursue a professional volleyball career overseas?” “Should I use my six-foot frame to continue on the women’s basketball team?” “Should I just try to do both?” are the questions that really stump her.

The questions first arose after the basketball team’s run in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. They were answered when Johnson decided not to play with the basketball team this year and instead to pursue a provolleyball career in Europe.

Johnson has experienced the success of Stacy Johnson-Klein’s turnaround first season. But she also experienced the success of Lindy Vivas’ volleyball program—a program that earned a berth in the NCAA tournament. While she did not earn first-team all-WAC in basketball as she did in volleyball, she did play a significant role on the team by averaging 6.6 points and 6.5 rebounds.

Johnson played two years of volleyball at Morgan State straight out of high school, two more after transferring to Fresno State, and played basketball her senior year.

She had one more year of eligibility in basketball due to the NCAA rule that giving players five consecutive years of eligibility in two sports.

Johnson had a tough decision to make. For months, her mind was consumed with whether she should stay and play basketball or go and play volleyball. She looked to her strong faith in God, and ultimately she felt volleyball was her true calling.

“ There were several reasons why I chose to do volleyball. It had nothing to do with the coaches or players. I love all of them,” Johnson said.

Which is why she tried to do both sports at first. She was even included in the women’s basketball promotional poster.

Soon after, she realized she had taken on way more than she could handle.

“ God blessed me with the athletic ability,” Johnson said. “But it got too hard. I was taking 20 units, took on volleyball and basketball. I had to pray again.”

She prayed for strength. She prayed for determination. But, most of all, she prayed for an answer.

Being a Division-I athlete, Johnson knows it takes a tremendous amount of organization to succeed and for Johnson, setting her priorities is key to her success.

“ Having priorities keeps me focused on what means the most to me, so I won’t ever take them for granted.”

Her list of priorities includes God, family, school and volleyball, in that order.

“ Everything is because of him,” Johnson said. “ I think he would want me to pursue volleyball. I believe by pursuing volleyball, I’m glorifying his name by using the athletic ability he blessed me with.”

Her strong faith in God isn’t her only source of support. Her family has been a constant source of support throughout the whole process.

“ My family told me ‘Java, do what you have to do. We’ll support you,’” Johnson said.

But, coming from a basketball-oriented family, some of those close to her tried to lean her the other way.

“ One of my dad’s closest friends got out this old book called ‘Fundamentals of Basketball’ and told me he just wanted me to look at it,” said Johnson.

But Johnson said she has hung up her basketball shoes.

“ My playing days are over, but I’m sure I’ll stay around it. My whole family plays basketball and I’m sure I’ll grow up and have kids who’ll want to play,” Johnson said.

The support of her family and its presence will be something she’ll miss when she leaves for Europe in January.

“ My family is really important to me. I don’t even want to think about being away from them.”

Her goal for her last year of school is to stay focused.

“ Besides athletes, nobody understands that it takes a lot of time. We miss a lot of school, and it’s kind of like a job, but the main people that stick it out are the ones that really enjoy it,” Johnson said.

Even though the commitment to her sport is intense, Johnson maintains a heavy course load and strives to finish out her college career academically strong. Despite her rigorous classes, she found out in September she wouldn’t be eligible to play until after this semester.

Because some of her units from her Morgan State did not transfer, Johnson has to work twice as hard to make up for lost time.

“ It has nothing to do with grades,” said Adrian Wiggins, the women’s basketball assistant coach. “There’s an NCAA rule, the 40-60-80 rule. For fifth-year students to compete, they must be 80 percent done with her degree and she’s not quite there yet.”

Johnson took this as a sign. Something was telling her that it was time to move on from basketball. She knew she had to just concentrate on volleyball.

“ As a young girl, you always have dreams of going and becoming a professional athlete and the opportunity that it might come true is awesome for me,” Johnson said. “The fact that I will be going to do something I love—that’s worth it for me. I want to see if I’m capable.”

The experience of going to Europe and getting paid for something that is her passion isn’t the only reason for her to pursue a professional career overseas.

“ For me, going to Europe, where it’s a different environment and level of playing, will be a huge growing experience for me,” Johnson said.

Even though she’ll be leaving behind a life here in Fresno, Johnson said she feels that she is moving on, rather than putting her life on hold.

“ I’ll be moving forward because volleyball isn’t my life,” Johnson said. “If I don’t make it, I’ll come back and get a job. I move on in any other aspect.”

She says that she is fully convinced the pursuit of volleyball has not hindered her life in any way. She feels she hasn’t had to give up anything.

“ It works out perfectly. The European exhibition tour is in January and I’ll travel with different teams in Europe. If a team likes me, they’ll offer me a contract.”

As January draws near, Johnson will walk into the try-out with her mind at ease. The doubtful questions weighing on her so heavily before have been answered through prayer and the support of family and friends. But possibly the most important support to her is that of her past coaches—Vivas and Johnson-Klein

“ I wish Java nothing but the best of luck,” Johnson-Klein said. “This decision is in her best interest and I respect what she is doing with her career.”

Johnson said she wouldn’t be able to be where she’s at without them.

“ I have enjoyed the presence of two extraordinary women in my life,” Johnson said. “I think they both have a lot to teach young women. They have different methods of coaching but they both arrive at the same thing: success. I’m glad God has brought them in my life.”

Johnson said she is ready for the experiences she is about to take on. Even though she’ll be leaving what she knows best, the lure of a life-altering experience is too great for her to pass up.

“ When I was a freshman, I left to play volleyball in Baltimore, Maryland. I came back because I wasn’t ready but now I think I can handle it.”

She says she is ready to make the leap. And even though she is constantly working towards making her dream a reality, any way she looks at it, her leap is completely one of faith.