Jab Johnson

Derunzia, also known as Jab Johnson, was born and raised in the small of town Corey, Louisiana. Growing up Jab had always been taller than the rest of her peers. That combined with her love of the game of basketball intrigued her and helped her dreams of being a basketball star form. She began to develop her game and starting practicing and playing at a very young age. By the time Jab was in her teen years, she had developed her game so much that she was chosen to be a part of the Caldwell High School Women’s basketball team. By Jab’s junior year in high school she had gotten pregnant and was blessed with a beautiful baby boy. In no way did that stop her from reaching and achieving the goals and dreams she had set up in her life. Her hard work and dedication continued to pay off and helped Johnson lead her high school team The Caldwell Lady Spartans to the championship four years in a row. As if that wasn’t enough

and Jab’s plate wasn’t already overflowing she was also able to play Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball out Jab Johnson of New Orleans for Coach Domino. After High School Jab playing for NLU. She is ranked sevreceived, scholenth in blocked shots and was able arship offers to block a total of 100 shots during from schools all her college career. Jab was also a over. Howevthree-time All-Southland Conferer, she decided ence selection and was also named to stay close to to the Southland’s 1980’s All-Decade home and atteam in 2013. tend Northeast Jab is very thankful for the Louisiana Unisupport and love that she received versity (NLU). from her family and she knows she Even though she would not have been able to reach was determined any of her goals without the support to finish out of God and her family. Her mother her schooling Gloria Atkins and her late grandand receive her mother Clara Thornton were her degree Jab had a angels. Normally when you have a son to look after child that is your child and your reand wanted to stay close to home. sponsibility. Her mother and grandAnother reason Jab chose to attend mother knew Jab’s goal was to go to NLU was the fact that her cousin Lisa college and play basketball, so they Thornton went to Louisiana State were willing to be her support sysUniversity (LSU) and Pam Kelly went tem. Her family wanted her to follow to Louisiana Tech. All three ladies her dreams and goals. They did not went to Caldwell Parish High School, want anything to stand in her way or so she wanted to go somewhere delay her from reaching her goals. where she could make a name for Jab not only had the support of her herself. Over Jab’s entire basketball family, but she also had the support career at NLU starting in 1987 and of people outside of her family like ending in 1990 she was able to break her high school coach Gay Greer, tons of records. She scored a total of her elementary school coaches Cla1,542 points; averaging 18.8 points rice Kennedy, and Mary Alice Wiley. each game which earned her a rank At NLU Jab majored in at number four General Studies because at the time in career points she was unsure of what career she scored for the wanted to pursue in life. At the time Lady Warshe only knew that she wanted to hawks. Jab was play basketball. Jab had a strong also able to snag desire to play pro ball over seas, and a total of 1,006 she was fortunate enough to be able rebounds with to do so for two and a half years. She an average of was able to travel and play in places 12.3 rebounds like Calais, France, Pryca, Manresa. per game during her time Page 9 After Jab finished playing overseas, Continued on Page 13