Marques Johnson Reflects on Historic Award Win
Nearly fifty years later, Marques Johnson reminisced about being the inaugural recipient of the award named after the iconic coach, John Wooden.
Arriving at the LA Athletic Club, Johnson was accompanied by Wooden as well as his parents. “We all dressed up in tuxedos and had a blast,” he shared with the California Post, recalling that day back in 1977. “My Afro was looking amazing—shiny, perfect curls, not a single hair out of place.”
In a special celebration for the award’s 50th anniversary, Johnson returned to the venue to present the John R. Wooden Award. He noticed the players, still starry-eyed and excited, much like he was at that age. “Being just 21 was a distinct memory for me. I had so much ahead, with experiences—good and bad—waiting for me,” he said before the ceremony. “It really feels meaningful to be back at the L.A. Athletic Club and see that same sense of optimism and youthfulness in them.”
This marked Johnson’s first time presenting the award since Kevin Durant received it in 2007. Now an analyst for the Bucks, he recently called a game featuring Durant, who greeted him warmly. “He’s a legend,” Johnson noted. “I said, ‘Remember, I gave you your wooden one.’ And he just chuckled, acknowledging our connection. It’s that bond that makes it truly special.”
Interestingly, Johnson once appeared on a poster in Michael Jordan’s dorm room at UNC, but he’s still making headlines. On his 70th birthday last February, he managed to dunk, a moment captured by his son, Josiah, who later shared it online. “Each year, I think maybe this will be the last dunk,” Johnson admitted. “But there’s something about that tradition that I treasure.”
After a few setbacks, he almost gave up, noting, “I hit a point where the ball was stuck on the rim. I thought, ‘Maybe this is it for me.'” Yet, with Josiah’s encouragement, he succeeded, showcasing that his commitment to training keeps him agile.
Johnson, part of Wooden’s final championship squad in 1975, rejoiced in another title last week when the UCLA women’s team triumphed over South Carolina in Phoenix. He was calling the game and received updates about the big lead. “Someone mentioned they were ahead by 20 points in the fourth quarter, and I was stunned,” he said. “Watching Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, and Gabriela Jaquez put together such a performance against Dawn Staley’s crew was incredible. It reminded me of the legendary Walton teams, and that was just fun to witness.”
A lasting takeaway from his time with Wooden has been the coach’s unwavering kindness. “I wasn’t always the easiest student back in college; I had my issues,” Johnson reflected. “But he consistently emphasized character and the importance of coming from a good family. We’re all going to slip up at times, but what matters is that we learn from those mistakes and strive to do better.”
