Transfer guard at home with Wolfpack

North Carolina State University

Transfer guard at home with Wolfpack

Alex Johnson, left, transferred to NC State after three years at Cal-Bakersfield.

Oct 16, 2011

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Raleigh, N.C. — The two newest members of the Wolfpack men's basketball team are hoping to benefit one from the other.

Newly hired head coach Mark Gottfried needed a point guard after the defection of Ryan Harrow. Alex Johnson was looking to join a higher-profile program after graduating from Cal State-Bakersfield with a year of eligibility left.

As practices officially begin, Johnson is already fitting right in.

“He’s effected a lot of people on this team," said sophomore guard Lorenzo Brown. "He wants to be in the gym 24/7.”

Johnson, who averaged 13.3 points a game last season, has spread that work ethic to his teammates.

“When I first came here, and they said, ‘You can have 24-hour access to the gym. You can come here whenever you feel like it.’ I said, ‘You know what, guys? I’m not going to be the only one in here.’ That’s how you get better,” Johnson said.

“We weren’t doing that last year," Brown allowed. "Alex came and was like, ‘Let’s get in the gym. Let’s get in the gym.’ like every other second of the day. And I was like, ‘Alex, calm down.’”

“I feel like that’s something we needed in this program," said junior forward Richard Howell.

Johnson saw the arrival of a new coach as an opportunity for him to quickly become a part of the team.

“They were new coming in and I was new coming in. That was the biggest thing with my decision," he said.

"I kind of felt like I didn’t want to go to a place where they already have it established because it would be hard to fit in with everyone.”

Johnson was born in Toronto and grew up playing hockey. When he started to focus on basketball, he developed a dead-eye jump shot.

Johnson can shoot the three, but he will likely find most his minutes as a backup to Brown.

"If they need me to come in and knock down open shots, I’ll do that. If they need me to come in and penetrate and kick to Scott Wood, I’ll do that," he said.

Reporter: Jason Jennings
Web Editor: Jodi Leese Glusco

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RE: Transfer guard at home with Wolfpack

Please Go PACK!

RE: Transfer guard at home with Wolfpack

dedication you gotta love it

RE: Transfer guard at home with Wolfpack

Wow, first Howell is prompted by Coach Gott to drop 20 pounds so he can be quicker. Now, it the team is hitting the gym to get better. After 5 years of Sid, it is great to have a coach with some common sense. I think previous comments were right on... Sid just expected that the players had the same work ethic as he did. Great programs don't just expect the players to do more, they DEMAND it. I have been saying for a long time that the talent level is there for the Wolfpack to be successful. The players just have to strive for excellence and want it more than whoever they play against. I can't stand to see players standing around on the court and watching the game. Hopefully, Coach Gott will instill the winning attitude that this program has not seen since Jimmy V...
- Posted by mike28
what is perplexing is that Lowe didnt apply his work ethic, as a player, to his work ethic, as a coach.....why would you just say "work hard, guys, see ya later!"??
- Posted by duane11

I don't know if Sid had a "work ethic" problem as a coach. I think he worked hard, and did a decent job recruiting. I just think his coaching techniques were all wrong. Maybe he expected the players to work on their own. But they didn't, and he should have cracked the whip more.

RE: Transfer guard at home with Wolfpack

Wow, first Howell is prompted by Coach Gott to drop 20 pounds so he can be quicker. Now, it the team is hitting the gym to get better. After 5 years of Sid, it is great to have a coach with some common sense. I think previous comments were right on... Sid just expected that the players had the same work ethic as he did. Great programs don't just expect the players to do more, they DEMAND it. I have been saying for a long time that the talent level is there for the Wolfpack to be successful. The players just have to strive for excellence and want it more than whoever they play against. I can't stand to see players standing around on the court and watching the game. Hopefully, Coach Gott will instill the winning attitude that this program has not seen since Jimmy V...
- Posted by mike28

what is perplexing is that Lowe didnt apply his work ethic, as a player, to his work ethic, as a coach.....why would you just say "work hard, guys, see ya later!"??

RE: Transfer guard at home with Wolfpack

This young kid seems to have it together mentally, and his attitude is exactly what this team, or any team needs. It does become contagious when you have one or two leaders that can live it on, and off the court. Wishing him the very best. He sounds like a smart young man.

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