http://wizbangsports.com/2008/02/blaze_interview_stevie_johnson.
After a recent article on the Iowa Energy, Iowa State fans were left wondering if Stevie
Johnson had any interest in the NBDL. Luckily, I was able to catch Stevie, and he gave
a great interview about life in basketball after college. Johnson was one of the stars on
the best team in Iowa State history leading the second seeded Cyclones all the way to
the elite eight in the 2000 NCAA Tournament. Below are his current stats with Caja
Rioja in Spain.
6'5 235lbs SF (SG/PF)
21 Points Per Game
60% Overall Field Goal Percentage
45% 3 Point Field Goal Percentage
60% Free Throw Percentage
8 Total Rebounds Per Game
3.1 Offensive Rebounds Per Game
1.2 Assists Per Game
Obviously Stevie is having a fantastic season. I translated those statistics from
Spanish,but I believe them to be accurate. For a small forward his field goal shooting
and offensive rebounding statistics are out of this world, but of course they are very
familiar to Iowa State fans. Johnson is known for his excellent shot selection and
crashing the offensive glass. Johnson has the speed and athleticism of a perimeter
player and the build of a heavy weight boxer. That being said, lets get right to the
interview.
Brent Blaze: This is for all the Cyclone fans who haven't seen you since your last
season at the school playing football. How has your basketball career been overseas?
Are you enjoying Spain?
Stevie Johnson: First, I would like to thank you for taking time to conduct this interview
with me. Secondly, I'm so grateful that God blessed me with the talent to play sports
and have allowed me to continue my career overseas. As far as basketball goes, I
started my professional career in Iceland for two seasons and I'm currently in my 5th
season in Spain. I've had some ups and downs with injuries and adjusting to the
European style of play but I've learned alot and I'm still enjoying playing the game.
BB: What was it like to play in Iceland? Did you expect to completely dominate like
you did? How did it feel to win back to back MVPs (34.6 PPG 13.3RPG for Haukar)?
SJ: After playing football my 5th season at ISU, Iceland was a good starting point for
me.It allowed me the opportunity to regain confidence in my ability to score the
basketball, as I did in high school. I led the league in scoring both seasons and I
received the MVP award my second year. When people ask where have you played
and I say Iceland, they repeat ICELAND and I reply yes Iceland they play basketball
there too. I also tell them I've had colder nights in Ames. So playing at ISU prepared
me for Iceland in more ways than just basketball.
BB: Did you know that Des Moines, Iowa now has an NBDL team? Would you be
interested in suiting up for the Iowa Energy?
SJ: No I didn't know. A friend of mine had mention something about Des Moines
getting a team but wasn't sure when. I enjoyed my time in Iowa and the people was
very good to me, so I would definitely be interested.
BB: Jeff Horner (University of Iowa) got to skip the NBDL draft and was picked up by
the Iowa Energy early because of his connection to the state. Would you expect to wait
until next season and join the team in that fashion, because you are currently under
contract with Caja Rioja?
SJ: I'm currently under contract with my team in Spain, so I won't make any decision
about next season until my season is over here. I'm not real familiar with the NBDL
draft or the needs of the Iowa Energy. So if they was interested in me joining the team,
my agent would inform me of the situation and we would make a decision then.
BB: At Iowa State, fans remember you as an excellent teammate, offensive rebounder,
and energy guy (and so much more). You normally played in the front court with
Marcus Fizer. Most fans remember you guarding guys like Eddie Najera to make sure
Fizer didn't get in foul trouble. Do you consider yourself more of a guard/forward now?
Based on your stats, it appears you've really worked on your outside shot. How much
has your outside game improved?
SJ: I consider myself a 3/4 that's better around the basket. I still play mostly the 4
position but I'm quicker, so I'm able to use my speed to go around guys on the
perimeter or get an angle to score around the basket. I'm able to guard bigger players,
so it works for me. As far as my outside shot, I've always worked on it, but now I'm in
a position and have the confidence to take more perimeter shots. I've learned over the
years that confidence and being in the right situation is the best way for a player to
succeed on the court.
Thanks for the great interview Stevie. My opinion is that Stevie should be offered
the same deal Jeff Horner got last summer. Johnson brings an all around game that
makes him an excellent starting piece for the Iowa Energy next season. Anytime you
can get a player that thinks team and defense first at his talent level the signing is a
complete no brainer. Plus he is a player from the glory years of Iowa State basketball.
Put him on a billboard and you will sell tickets. Johnson also would be very marketable
in Des Moines. Kurt Warner (Iowa Barnstormers) did a few local commercials with an automotive dealer before he joined the Saint Louis Rams.
The NBDL requires all players sign a contract with the league before a team can select
them in the draft or pick them up off the waiver wire. Jeff Horner had to literally tell his
agent to get him on the team. Hopefully this works out because it would be great for
basketball in Iowa. Interestingly, Johnson is with the same agency as Tyray Pearson
(Iowa State) and Chauncey Leslie (Iowa). Anyone else thinking what I'm thinking?
Say tuned for my interview with Bojan Malesevic from Belgrade, Serbia.
