TicketsCINCINNATI - Every University of Cincinnati student receiving their diploma this week has a unique story to tell.
DerMarr Johnson's winding tale, which took nearly 20 years to finish, drew to a close Friday when he walked across the stage at Fifth Third Arena as a college graduate.
"It's something I can tell my kids, that I got it done," Johnson said. "People where I'm from barely get diplomas. Being able to finish college is a big accomplishment for me."
His path toward a college degree started in the fall of 1999 when he walked on the Clifton campus to play basketball for then-head coach Bob Huggins as a highly touted consensus high school All-American from Riverdale, Md.
The 6-foot-9 guard's lone season in a Bearcats jersey was a memorable one, averaging 13.0 points and 3.7 rebounds while playing on a squad that featured national player of the year Kenyon Martin and third-team All-American Pete Mickeal, as well as Steve Logan and Kenny Satterfield. The Bearcats owned the nation's No. 1 ranking for 12 weeks while posting a 29-4 overall record and claiming the Conference USA regular-season title. Only a broken leg suffered by Martin in the first game of the league tournament prevented a special ending to the season.
By that summer, Johnson was off to the NBA as the sixth pick of the Atlanta Hawks. And for the next seven seasons he played for four NBA teams, overcoming an automobile accident that left him with a neck injury following his second year in the league.
When his NBA career concluded, Johnson continued his love for the game overseas, playing professionally in China, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Colombia, Lebanon, the Philippines, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
By 2017, Johnson looked to begin his transition from player to coach and a call from former UC head coach Mick Cronin opened that door. Johnson would return to UC as a student assistant coach while completing his degree. A visit to campus for Homecoming sealed it.
"When I came back here for homecoming I felt love from people here who I didn't think would even remember me because I was here for a short time," Johnson told Bill Koch when he rejoined the program. "But, they did and everybody seemed like they were happy to see me."
For the past two and a half years Johnson has mentored UC players while taking online courses toward a degree in interdisciplinary studies with a minor in criminal justice. His focus as a UC student this time around was much different.
"When I first came here (in 1999) I knew I was going to be one-and-done. It wasn't to finish school," Johnson said. "When I came back this time I knew I was coming back to finish. I had a different approach and it wasn't easy."
And his message on graduation day to current and future UC basketball players:
"While you are here take it serious," Johnson said. "You guys are getting your education paid for. It's going to come in handy so don't take that for granted. We all want to play basketball but everybody can't make it to the NBA. So you guys want to take advantage of this opportunity you have here."
// FOUR MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYERS TAKING PART IN GRADUATION CEREMONIES
Along with Johnson, three other men's basketball players are participating in graduation ceremonies this week.
Redshirt-junior forward Trevon Scott earned his undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies in the fall and is currently working toward a master's degree in sports administration. He was part of Friday afternoon's graduation ceremony with Johnson at Fifth Third Arena.
Senior guards Cane Broome and Justin Jenifer earned degrees in criminal justice this semester and will take part in a graduation ceremony Saturday morning.
In all, 24 of 27 men's basketball seniors have graduated since the 2011-12 academic year, including each of the last 15.
DerMarr Johnson's winding tale, which took nearly 20 years to finish, drew to a close Friday when he walked across the stage at Fifth Third Arena as a college graduate.
"It's something I can tell my kids, that I got it done," Johnson said. "People where I'm from barely get diplomas. Being able to finish college is a big accomplishment for me."
His path toward a college degree started in the fall of 1999 when he walked on the Clifton campus to play basketball for then-head coach Bob Huggins as a highly touted consensus high school All-American from Riverdale, Md.
The 6-foot-9 guard's lone season in a Bearcats jersey was a memorable one, averaging 13.0 points and 3.7 rebounds while playing on a squad that featured national player of the year Kenyon Martin and third-team All-American Pete Mickeal, as well as Steve Logan and Kenny Satterfield. The Bearcats owned the nation's No. 1 ranking for 12 weeks while posting a 29-4 overall record and claiming the Conference USA regular-season title. Only a broken leg suffered by Martin in the first game of the league tournament prevented a special ending to the season.
By that summer, Johnson was off to the NBA as the sixth pick of the Atlanta Hawks. And for the next seven seasons he played for four NBA teams, overcoming an automobile accident that left him with a neck injury following his second year in the league.
When his NBA career concluded, Johnson continued his love for the game overseas, playing professionally in China, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Colombia, Lebanon, the Philippines, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
By 2017, Johnson looked to begin his transition from player to coach and a call from former UC head coach Mick Cronin opened that door. Johnson would return to UC as a student assistant coach while completing his degree. A visit to campus for Homecoming sealed it.
"When I came back here for homecoming I felt love from people here who I didn't think would even remember me because I was here for a short time," Johnson told Bill Koch when he rejoined the program. "But, they did and everybody seemed like they were happy to see me."
For the past two and a half years Johnson has mentored UC players while taking online courses toward a degree in interdisciplinary studies with a minor in criminal justice. His focus as a UC student this time around was much different.
"When I first came here (in 1999) I knew I was going to be one-and-done. It wasn't to finish school," Johnson said. "When I came back this time I knew I was coming back to finish. I had a different approach and it wasn't easy."
And his message on graduation day to current and future UC basketball players:
"While you are here take it serious," Johnson said. "You guys are getting your education paid for. It's going to come in handy so don't take that for granted. We all want to play basketball but everybody can't make it to the NBA. So you guys want to take advantage of this opportunity you have here."
For Trevon, it was redshirting & completing a degree in 4 years.
— Cincinnati Men's Hoops (@GoBearcatsMBB) May 3, 2019
For @DerMarrJohnson, it was a nearly 20-year journey that included a pro hoops career before returning to finish what he started.
Two very different paths, but both are now @uofcincy graduates.#Bearcats pic.twitter.com/kSu2v0XfwK
WE DID IT!!!#Bearcats | #UCGrad19 pic.twitter.com/nl7QZLu7Op
— Cincinnati Men's Hoops (@GoBearcatsMBB) May 4, 2019
// FOUR MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYERS TAKING PART IN GRADUATION CEREMONIES
Along with Johnson, three other men's basketball players are participating in graduation ceremonies this week.
Redshirt-junior forward Trevon Scott earned his undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies in the fall and is currently working toward a master's degree in sports administration. He was part of Friday afternoon's graduation ceremony with Johnson at Fifth Third Arena.
Senior guards Cane Broome and Justin Jenifer earned degrees in criminal justice this semester and will take part in a graduation ceremony Saturday morning.
In all, 24 of 27 men's basketball seniors have graduated since the 2011-12 academic year, including each of the last 15.