DJO D-league

[mileskishnish72]

Caught DJO's D-league game Fri. night. He was the Player of the Game with 20-9-9. He and Ebanks were the class of the field although Ronald Murray of the Toros, who played at Shaw (of all places) had himself a hell of a game as well.
DJO gave me a shout-out for the Marquette shirt on his way to the interview after the game. He is on the cover of the Armor's magazine, and was the subject of the feature article below (just quoting, I didn't srite it).

Around the World
The Journey of Darius Johnson-Odom

"Living the dream."
A phrase commonly associated with the mundane and everyday tasks of a normal workday. But in the case of Darius Johnson-Odom, that phrase holds true to its original meaning.

Growing up in Raleigh, NC, Johnson-Odom wanted nothing more than to make a career out of basketball. Now, he's earned that opportunity and is amking the most of every minute of it, even if it may have taken him quite a bit longer than Disney's "Around the World in 80 Days."

"Most people don't get to play basketball for a living," said Johnson-Odom. "For me, being able to continue my career and chase my ultimate goal is living out a dream, and I'm enjoynig every minute of it."


It's just a game to some. For the affectionately known DJO, it's much more. This game has taken him to places, as he put it, "I could never have dreamed." A professional career that has spanned across the country to Los Angeles, to across the ocean onto foreign soil, Johnson-Odom has literally followed his dream to the end of the Earth.

"I've had the chance to play in St. Petersburg, Russia and also in China, two great places to play professionally that have helped me grow," Johnson-Odom recalled. "The competition overseas was very intense and it was a great experience to facecompetitors from around the world."

His ride through the sport has also allowed him to build strong friendships at every level. Between practice, games and social settings, DJO's teammates have become some of the most important people in his life. One friendship, in particular, stands above the rest: about eight inches or so.

"One of my strongest friendships professionally has been with Dwight Howard," said Johnson-Odom. "He helped me out a lot when I was playing with him, both on and off the court. We still keep in touch about once a week to catch up and see how the other are doing."

His interesting personality and openness have spread throughout the highest level of basketball as DJO came in at No. 84 in an analysis done by Hoopshype of who NBA players follow on Twitter, catching the attention of 62 players from the Association. Johnson-Odom was the only player from the NBA Developmental league on the list, tied with Dirk Nowitzki, Steven A. Smith and Mark Cuban, and ahead of Grant Hill, Terrell Owens and Skip Bayless, among others.

"I've met a lot of those guys throughout my career that follow me through games, camps or as opponents and know most of them personally," said Johnson-Odom after a look of surprise when he was presented with the statistic. "It's a way for us to keep in touch snf just-so-happens to be a public setting. I think guys like my style of play and we instantly make a connection that way."

Since joining the Armor via the available player pool just after the New Year, Johnson-Odom has quickly risen through the ranks of the NBA D-League Prospect Watch rankings inside the top five. The ex-Laker has found success in Springfield, setting the all-time single-game franchise record with 41 points on January 9, less than a week after joining the Armor. That success has spread throughout almost every game he has played in with Springfield, continuously topping the scoring charts game-after-game.

Though he may be in his frist stint with Springfield, DJO has seen time in the D-League prior to this season, starting 13 games with the Los Angeles D-Fenders during the 2012-13 campaign after being reassigned by the Lakers. The time he spends in the D-League, however long, is a valuable tool in the construction of his career and Johnson-Odom credits Armor head coach Doug Overton as a leader-by-example.

"I'm especially working on my decisions in the paint," said Johnson-Odom. "Coach Overton has helped me tremendously with the point guard position. That is something he told me he would do before I left China. It's really great to learn from someone who has been in the same position as I am, so-to-speak, and I can really relate to him through the position in the sport and also my path to the next level."

When asked to single out a specific moment that was his favorite throughout his professional and amateur career, Johnson-Odom was unable to pick just one moment, but a collective friendship that he deems a "brotherhood" brought on during his collegaite tenure at Marquette.

"The brotherhood I gained at Marquette with my teammates is something I'll never get back and something I think has been one of my favorite things about this sport," Johnson-Odom recalled. "Otherwise, the entire journey continues ot be my favorite part. Like I said before, this is my dream and I'm able to live it out playing the sport I love."

Johnson-Odom continues his journey back to the NBA, determined to earn another shot to play amongst the game's best in the world. After being selected by the Dallas Mavericks 55th overall in the 2012 NBA draft, Johnson-Odom was then traded on draft night to the Lakers. DJO played in four career games with Los Angeles in 2012-13, tallying six minutes on the floor in a Lakers jersey. That small taste continues to fuel his desire

to reach the game's ultimate stage once more, to relive and achieve again the dream he has been chasing his entire life.

Mixing extreme tenacity with an electrifying spirit, Johnson-Odom has quickly become a fan favorite in Springfield. DJO's call to the NBA may be on the horizon, but only time will tell where his next move will be. For now, No. 19 continues to ignite the Armor offense as Springfield's leading scorer.

To some, "Around the World" may be a basketball-related game played on school-yard courts at recess. To tohers, that same game may just punch their ticket to basketball's brightest stage. Sometimes, a phrase can only be understood for its true meaning through the eyes of the beholder.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

My favorite MU player. Would always give you the time of day.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

DJO is a stud. He's a great guy and a hell of a player. I hope he gets another look, but if he keeps up his current play it's only a matter of Time.

[mileskishnish72]

I should have added that the post-game interview was carried out about 10' from my seat (have no idea of the outlet). DJO appeared extremely calm and at ease with the process, and from what I could hear seemed very well-spoken.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

I think he is most likely to be the next Warrior in the NBA...or back to the NBA!

[wardle2wade]

Thanks for sharing.  DJO was a great player and ambassador for Marquette.

[chapman]

Bobcats waived Ben Gordon.  Call him home!