Men’s basketball transfer shoots for the best in final season

By Trevor West

Contributor

While averaging 17 points per game and leading most of the stats for Ferrum College, Jikari Johnson took a chance and transferred to Trevecca for his senior year. 

The shooting guard won a starting role with the Trojans and is averaging 19 points and 3 rebounds per game while shooting 53% from the field and 45% from three-point range, despite the difficulties of transferring late in his college career. 

Johnson played his junior season for the Ferrum Panthers, where he played and started 27 games and led the team in scoring with 17.2 points per game. He shot 45.9% from the field, 38.5% from the three-point line and 82.9% from the free-throw line. He averaged 5.1 rebounds per game and was named All-ODAC 2023-24 2nd team.

But, he wanted more. 

“I wanted to compete at the highest level possible, and Ferrum was a Division III school. I never wanted to play at a D3 school, but I wanted to grow as a player and have confidence. I wanted to come here to help the team succeed, and the coaching staff that they are building here made me want to play for this team,” Johnson said.

Kevin Carroll, in his second year as the head coach, saw something in the 6-foot-4 guard that caught his attention when he became active in the transfer portal. 

“From a skill perspective, he’s a high-level shot creator. He’s the best shooter I have ever coached. He’s a fast-twitch athlete and a vertical athlete as well. The thing that stood out to me the most was that the first time I talked to him, he embodied the values that we have here and accepted whatever role we gave him,” said Carroll.

Johnson has high expectations for his senior season.

“My personal goal is to make first-team all-conference, if not player of the year. I do want to reach a thousand points.  Another goal is to win a conference championship and to go deep in the national tournament,” Johnson said.

The team is building relationships with Johnson, as they continue to play in rhythm on the court, and bonding together off the court.  

“Jikari is a big part of our team, and I feel like we have a huge connection with him. Not only is he a good player on the court, but he is cool to hang around outside of basketball,” said sophomore guard Isaiah Divens. 

The Trojans have started the season 4-1 and will continue their season at home on Nov. 23 against Cumberland University.