Saturday, July 26, 2014

SU's Avery Johnson, others headed into Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame

NEW ORLEANS  -- At one point in his young life, Avery Johnson wasn’t good enough to crack the starting lineup at St. Augustine High.

“I was kind of a 30-point guy,” Johnson told The Advocate last year. “When we were up by 30, I would have an opportunity to go in the game and play a little bit.”

The diminutive backup had his number called when St. Aug’s starting point guard was suspended from the team during the 1983 state playoffs.


Off Johnson went, helping the Purple Knights complete a 35-0 season and win the Class 4A title.
That was followed, of course, by an illustrious career at Southern and 16 playing seasons in the NBA, where he later coached the Spurs and Nets.
He will be one of five persons entering the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame on Aug. 2.

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