Jermaine Johnson (basketball)

Jermaine Johnson Sr. (born July 4, 1985) is an American politician, political advisor and former professional basketball player from South Carolina. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the representative for South Carolina's 80th disrict.[1]

Jermaine Johnson
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
from the 80th district
Assumed office
December 4, 2020
Preceded byJimmy Bales
Basketball career
Personal information
Born (1985-07-04) July 4, 1985
Los Angeles, California
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High schoolThe Winchendon School
CollegeCollege of Charleston (2005–2009)
NBA draft2009 / Undrafted
Playing career2009–2015
PositionPower forward / Center
Number5, 19
Career history
2009-2010Reno Bighorns
2010Libertadores de Querétaro
2010Mineros de Fresnillo
2010-2011Jaguares de la Bahia Riviera Nayarit
2011Cidade dé Barreiro
2011-2012Franca
2012Pavos de Nuevo Casas Grandes
2012Mineros de Fresnillo
2012-2013Gigantes Edomex
2013Soles de Ojinaga
2013-2014Ottawa SkyHawks
2014London Lightning
2014-2015Abejas de León
2015Soles de Ojinaga
Career highlights and awards
  • SoCon Freshman of the Year (2006)
  • Second-team All-SoCon (2008)
  • Third-team All-SoCon (2009)
  • NBL All-Star (2014)

Early life

Johnson was born on July 4, 1985 in Los Angeles, California. He grew up during the crack epidemic and his family struggled with homelessness, living in and out of motels following home evictions. His father spent time in prison and his brother was in the military. Johnson's face was scarred when he was pistol-whipped as a teenager.[2]

Athletic career

High school and college career

Johnson's AAU coach helped him get into prep schools for basketball. Johnson attended seven high schools[2] while growing up including Trinity-Pawling School and Redemption Christian Academy. He eventually attended and graduated from the Winchendon School.[3][4]

In high school, Johnson received interest from the College of Charleston and Long Beach State for basketball. He committed to the College of Charleston. Three months into his redshirt freshman season, Johnson got into an altercation with his teammate Jeff Horowitz. Johnson intended to transfer to Long Beach State, but ended up staying at Charleston College.[5]

In 2008, Johnson scored the first points in the TD Arena for the Cougars.

Johnson served as Charleston's captain during his senior year. He finished his career as one of only four players in school history with at least 1,100 points and 850 rebounds.[6]

D-League

Johnson was drafted by the Reno Bighorns in the 6th round of the NBA Development Draft. He was released from the team after one year. He trained with James Harden and Amar'e Stoudemire during summer workouts in Los Angeles.[7]

International career

Johnson played more than six years, professionally overseas including in France, Mexico, Hungary and Canada. He starred during his time in the Mexican Basketball League where he averaged 21 points and 8 rebounds per game.[8][9]

Political career

Johnson is the founder and CEO of the New Economic Beginnings Foundation, which helps educate and find employment for opportunities for troubled youth and veterans.[10][11]

Currently, Johnson serves as the 3rd Vice Chair of the Richland County Democratic party, Richland County Recreation Commissioner, Vice Chair of the Young Democrats of the Central Midlands and Minority Caucus Chair of the Young Democrats of South Carolina.[12][13]

Johnson served as the South Carolina Campaign Chair for Andrew Yang's 2020 presidential campaign.[14]

In 2020, Johnson announced he would challenge Democratic incumbent Jimmy Bales for his seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Johnson centered his campaign around universal basic income, community investment, economic investment, district enhancement and access and accountability. He earned endorsements from former 2020 Presidential candidate Andrew Yang, former South Carolina State Representative and current CNN political analyst Bakari Sellers and current South Carolina State Representative JA Moore. In June 2020, Johnson defeated Bales in the Democratic Primary and became the Democratic Nominee.[15]

Electoral history

2020 South Carolina House of Representatives
South Carolina House of Representatives District 80 Democratic Primary, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jermaine Johnson 3,573 75.6
Democratic Jimmy Bales (incumbent) 1,156 24.4
Total votes 4,729 100.0
South Carolina House of Representatives District 80 General Election, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jermaine Johnson 10,742 59.6
Republican Vincent Wilson 7,268 40.3
Total votes 18,010 100.0

Personal life

Johnson has three children. He received a Doctorate of Business Administration and Organizational Leadership from North Central University in 2018.

References
  1. "Live: South Carolina State Primary Election Results 2020". New York Times. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  2. Caraviello, David (November 29, 2019). "From homeless youth and turbulent CofC career, Jermaine Johnson is Andrew Yang's guy in SC". The Post and Courier. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  3. "Johnson Staying East for Trip". Rivals Basketball Recruiting. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  4. "Jermaine Johnson basketball profile". USA Basketball. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  5. "Draper, Cougars Speed Past Seahawks, 91-70". University of North Carolina Wilmington. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  6. "CofC Men's Basketball BIO". College of Charleston. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  7. "Former CofC Standout Jermaine Johnson Selected in NBA D-League Draft". College of Charleston. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  8. "SKYHAWKS SIGN JERMAINE JOHNSON". Interperformances. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  9. "JERMAINE JOHNSON". ESPN. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  10. "New Economic Beginnings For Youth And Veterans". WLTX. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  11. "Jermaine Johnson, E.D." New Economic Beginnings. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  12. "Our Team". Richland South Carolina Friends. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  13. "Board of Commissioners". Richland South Carolina Recreation. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  14. "Dr. Jermaine Johnson, former head of Yang 2020 South Carolina office, is back in the Nerd Zone!". Nerds For Yang. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  15. "Democrat Jermaine Johnson to challenge for state House seat currently held by Jimmy Bales". The Post and Courier. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
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