ACC basketball fans have a new kid on the block to keep an eye on in the coming years. NC State's Marques Johnson recently became eligible under NCAA transfer regulations after starting his career at Tennessee. The No. 42 prospect in the Class of 2006 led his high school team to a 50-15 record over his last three years - including the program's first sectional championship in a few decades - and averaged over 15 points per game his senior year. Since becoming eligible, the guard has seen significant minutes off the bench for the Wolfpack.
How did you get started playing basketball?
My dad played basketball, so I followed in his footsteps. He played in high school and then over at the gym a lot, so I was always a big fan. I (started playing) YMCA ball around age five or six. I (also) played on my middle school team, my high school team, and on an AAU team called Blessed INJ.
What is your greatest accomplishment as an athlete?
Just being a Division I student-athlete.
What do you still hope to accomplish?
To get my degree and take basketball as far as it can take me. I'm working on getting into a sports management major right now.
Any thoughts yet about what you may like to do after college?
I'm not sure exactly what yet, but it would definitely be something with sports, whether playing or just being around it as a coach.
Who is your most influential role model?
My mom, because I see all the things that she goes through and all the sacrifices she's made for me and my sister. That motivates me to be a better person.
What is the best advice you've received from a coach?
I'd say that (Assistant) Coach (Larry) Harris probably gave me the best advice. He told me to always be patient and be ready because anything can happen. With that, I was always ready to take advantage of any opportunities there were.
What is your most memorable moment in sports?
My most memorable moment would probably be in high school. During my senior year, we won the sectional championship. That was the first time (my school) had done that in about 30 years. Our school has always been a football school - (the football team) went far in states every year - but we finally had some good times in basketball. We always had the talent, but never could win. We finally won sectionals and moved on to regionals my senior year.
Can you talk a little bit about transferring from Tennessee to NC State and why you chose NC State?
NC State was one of (the) schools (I considered) coming out of high school, so the connection with Coach Harris and now (Head) Coach (Sidney) Lowe made an impact. Coming out of high school and talking to the coaching staff, I had also felt a connection with Coach (Bruce) Pearl at Tennessee. It seemed like the right place to be at the time, but it didn't work out and I'm glad to be here now.
What has the transition to NC State and the ACC been like so far?
It's been pretty smooth. Coming from the SEC to the ACC, it's a different style of basketball. The program here is like a family, so they've made it comfortable for me.
Can you talk about your thoughts about heading into the ACC schedule?
I think our team is starting to gel and pull together some wins, so we're ready to attack the ACC season.
Is there anything in particular that the team is taking into ACC play from the early-season games?
Our defense and intensity. The wins that we have gotten have come from our defensive side. We're going to score because we have great scorers, so we just have to continue to play good D.
In the spirit of the New Year, do you have any New Year's resolutions?
Just to keep winning, that's my New Year's resolution. (laughs)
Marques Johnson and the Wolfpack conclude the non-conference portion of the season with two home games - tomorrow (1/5) against Presbyterian at 2:30 p.m. and on Wednesday (1/9) against North Carolina Central at 7 p.m. The Wolfpack travels over to Chapel Hill next Saturday (1/12) to open up the ACC schedule with North Carolina.
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