Orlando Johnson (photo. Garrett W. Ellwood/USA Basketball)

In June it was announced that he had been chosen to try out for the United States’ World University Games team that would participate in Shenzhen, China. Johnson was selected from a group of 23 players including Wisconsin’s Jordan Taylor, Pitt’s Ashton Gibbs, Vanderbilt’s John Jenkins, and others. Upon arriving in Colorado Springs in July, Johnson was nervous about his chances of making the team, frequently calling his brothers who then reassured him that everything would work out. Everything certainly worked out, and more for Johnson. Not only did he make the team, but out of the hundreds of U.S. athletes participating in the Games, Johnson was chosen to be the flag bearer at the Opening Ceremonies.

“It was an honor to carry the flag and be chosen out of the hundreds of American athletes at the Games,” says Johnson with pride. “It was an amazing moment to lead my country in front of all the other countries there and to be such a big part of the ceremony. It is a moment I will cherish forever.”

Johnson’s experience on the court was just as special for him as it was for him to carry the flag. Having averaged over 20 points per game this past season, it would have been easy for Johnson to carry an ego with him when he wasn’t the focal point of the team’s offense. It would have been easy for him to act frustrated with his role because scoring is what he does best. Head coach Matt Painter wanted Johnson to defend and he wanted him to rebound. Painter knew he could score, but he didn’t want him to be a scorer – and that was just fine with Johnson. All he wanted to do was win, and his attitude really impressed his teammates.

“I was really impressed with how hungry Orlando was and what a positive attitude he had,” says Jenkins of his teammate this summer. “We really pushed each other in practice every day and made each other better. He is a great player, but he really is an even better person. People use that expression a lot, but with Orlando it really holds true. He was one of my best friends on the team, and playing with him was great.”

While Team USA finished a disappointing fifth-place after having been eliminated by Lithuania, Johnson still came home with memories that will last a lifetime. The World University Games put an appropriate finishing touch on Johnson’s summer. In a summer dedicated to doing everything in his power to improve, Johnson got to spend a month working on doing things other than score (which he still does plenty of) against some of the best university players in the world.

For him, it couldn’t have ended any other way. But with the end of summer begins the start of a new school year, one that includes being named to the Wooden Award list, a chance to make a third straight NCAA Tournament, but most importantly walking across the stage with a diploma in his hand. So while his fellow students work on their tan, Johnson will be spending his time in the classroom and on the court, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

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