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Player Biography of the Month |
Neil Johnson |
The Neil Johnson File Born: April 17, 1943 in Jackson, Michigan High School: George Washington HS (New York City) College: Creighton (1965) Playing Weight: 220 Height: 6'7" Home: Virginia Beach, VA Pro Basketball Career: New York Knicks (1966-68) Phoenix Suns (1968-1970) Virginia Squires (1970-73) Hobbies: Beach volleyball; NASCAR |
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To say that Neil Johnson was the "free spirit" of the Virginia Squires would be an understatement. Coach Bianchi often called him his "hippie forward" and the manner in which Johnson presented himself....with classic 70's mustache, long hair and muttonchop sideburns made him a favorite of the Squires fans and a target for vocal criticism from spectators on the road. Neil was acquired as a free agent by owner Earl Foreman during the late summer of 1970 and served as a strong and reliable player off the bench for Bianchi for the '70-'71 year. He could intimidate most players and was never one to back down when pressed. His first year with the Squires earned him an ABA All-Star selection while he led the team in field goal percentage. The 1971-'72 season saw Johnson starting at forward opposite a young rookie phenom.....Julius Erving. Neil started strong but an achilles tendon injury sidelined him in November and he remained out for the season. He retired after the 1972-73 season, thus giving Squires fans three great years of rough and tumble basketball. Neil liked the Tidewater area so much, that he decided to stay after his professional career and still resides in Virginia Beach. |
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