When San Diego State senior Keshad Johnson takes the court on Friday for a Sweet 16 matchup against a heavily favored Alabama team, Oakland will be on his mind and visible to everyone watching.
Tattooed in cursive across Johnson’s left bicep is "Oakland" and on his right "finest" an homage to the city motivated him to make it out, and find success and the perfect juxtaposition to just how fast it can all be taken away. His brother, Kenny Johnson, who was a talented basketball player in his own right, said the neighborhood was riddled with poverty, drugs and violence.
And, while Keshad rose above and out of Oakland's violence without physical scars, Kenny wasn't as lucky. "They shot 20 times and hit me 10 times, luckily in places that weren’t main arteries," Kenny said. "It messed my life up," Kenny said. "I will never be able to run again."His dream of playing Division I college basketball, were dashed. He is paralyzed and in a wheelchair to this day.
Keshad is the youngest of six siblings, but he has always wanted to be like Kenny, the second youngest and four years Keshad’s senior. "At first he was really clumsy. I'm not going to lie," Kenny said with a laugh. But an early growth spurt for Keshad meant when they played against each other, it was always competitive. Nearly a decade later, and their competitiveness is not gone, it's just different. On Friday, when Keshad takes the floor in Louisville, 2,300 miles from Oakland, in what will be the biggest game of his young basketball career, Kenny will be there to cheer him on, and watch his brother achieve both of their dreams.
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