Johnson a trailblazer in men's hoops

FAYETTEVILLE — The first African-American to be a part of Razorback men’s basketball tradition, Thomas Alonza Johnson Jr., was a member of the Razorback Shoat roster for the 1967-68 season. The Menifee, Ark., native was one of the taller members of the team’s roster at 6-2 and would go one to play a 12-game schedule against a mostly junior college lineup.

Johnson finished the year for the Razorbacks ranked third on the team in scoring at 15.5 points per game. The 18-year-old would shoot 49 percent from the floor (76-155) and 63 percent from the free throw line (35-55) while grabbing 74 rebounds and committing 42 personal fouls.

Johnson was considered one of the finest players in central Arkansas as a senior for Eastside High School. He averaged 30.4 points per game and was a three-time all-district performer, two-time team captain and winner of the MVP award in his area. He was named to nine all-tournament teams at Eastside as a senior.

Along with Johnson’s skills on the court, he was a standout student for Eastside and was a member of the honor society for three years before majoring in business at the University.