Promised myself, “Don't hype up this freshman”, but as "truth is born" this story needs to be told. Here is part one of a two-part series.
By Erik Woods
"Super Mario" (15 year Mario Chalmers) was such a dope player and kid when I first met him. Yep, that's who most reminds me of Johnny Juzang. Why? It's that "fire" in their eyes, the hunger I heard rumbling from Chalmers and Juzang's bellies.
Back in ‘04, when I was writing for UNC Rivals, I had hoped that UNC coach Roy Williams would pick up Chalmers who was dying to go there.
Chalmers has that "Je me sais pas", French for "that awesome thing you can't quite explain", to be a winner in life, make his teammates better, win a NCAA chip.
I could describe the athletic six foot seven J-Juzang in talent evaluators’ terms, the rapidly developing jumper, high IQ, solid handles, fierce instinct to penetrate just right. But that is only a fraction of the "jaw dropping" human potential he has shown in his young life.
Exhibit A: how many other youngsters in 8th grade will design their own website, launch a clothing line, and show that "entrepreneurial" spirit?
Johnny likely gets that gusto from his extremely charismatic father, Maxie Juzang who says of his son, "We’re so proud of our boy, like all of our kids.”
Johnny plays the piano well, took karate seriously as a youngster, has an outstanding work ethic, and is a 4.0 student. But he also cares about the world, as he shows a 'kind heart' to people.
Props from your dad, who helped run Web MD as an entrepreneur himself. Johnny's older brother Christian Juzang hoops for Harvard, his little sister Lauren plays the piano, guitar, sings, and plays volleyball for Harvard Westlake. She's so smart that she skipped a grade.
There's a thread of striving for excellence in the Juzang fam, they're all dope!
Many basketball insiders have given Juzang accolades thus far. Eric Sondheimer says Juzang's size and skill will create "issues" for opponents. Johnny is this humble, yet confident soul.
Slamonline gave him props this past summer in a feature as one of the best AAU players in the country regardless of class because this man-child can "hang with elite juniors." How dope is that?
What impressed me beyond words is that Johnny in regular conversation is more articulate than most of my university professors I had at UCSB, yet still he exudes this fun loving "kid" at heart time in his voice, which is amazing.
Example, ask Johnny what he does for fun. It's all about hanging at I-Hop with his boys, or taking a girl there. He finds joy in socializing and eating pancakes I guess. Where does he get the energy to propel one so young, what's the motivation to achieve so much?
Juzang fascinates me, does he have blueberry syrup coursing through his veins to power such intense athletic and academic regiments?
I have a theory: Antimatter is Johnny's fuel source, his potassium -40 must be colliding protons and electrons annihilating like the CERN lab, or maybe he has a dodge hemi engine pumping his heart. Either way, I wish I had that kind of energy, ambition, and drive like he shows in life!
It's like if you look up the phrase "carpe diem", Latin for "seize the day", and you see this young humble, yet confident person exuding pride and excellence through his pores, that are the mantra of his life.
I promised not to hype up a freshman, but he reminds me of an NBA rookie from four years ago: Giannis Antetokounmpo. Given four years to develop his game in high school, that length, heart, passion, and mindset of a fighter, how much might Johnny Juzang improve?
Only time will tell, but in part 2 hear the moving words of Johnny's older brother, Christian
Juzang, now playing for Harvard, as he describes that moment he realized his little bro was "getting there." His uber trainer, Todd Wilson will describe their journey toward skill improvement, and Coach Dawson, his Tri City Baller AAU coach whom Johnny won a national championship with. Part 2 will also include the scholarship offers Juzang has received.
Note: part 2 will be for subscribers only. To subscribe now, please click here.
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