The Arizona Wildcats power forward, Keshad Johnson, got basketball inspiration from his older brother, Kenny Johnson. Unfortunately, his brother is paralyzed from the waist down after being shot at 14.
While Keshad is poised to enter the NBA as a second-round pick in the 2024 NBA draft, his sibling, Kenny, relives the dream of professional basketball from him. The former Envision Academy player draws strength and mentorship from his brother.
Raised in a neighborhood riddled with poverty and violence, Johnson is active in social services and operates with the “Open Door Mission” to end the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Besides his interest in hoops and giving back to the community, he is fond of music and dropped a mixtape in 2020.
This article delves deeper into Johnson’s family- his siblings and parents.
What Happened To Keshad Johnson’s Brother, Kenny Johnson?
The former San Diego State collegiate basketball star grew up with his older brother, Kenny Johnson Jr. (his birth name is Kenneth Johnson Jr). The two siblings have an age gap of four years.
Keshad’s brother, Kenny, a talented basketball player, could not pursue his dream due to an unfortunate event.
On November 6, 2011, Kenny was shot 20 times near an elementary school during a random shooting in a Lower Bottoms neighborhood of West Oakland. At the time, he was returning home after a sleepover when two men started shooting.
As a result of the injuries during the incident, he was paralyzed.
Regarding the unfortunate event, Keshad said, “It was just wrong place, wrong time, living in Oakland and rival neighborhoods coming through.”
After the shooting, Johnson’s family had to leave the place and find a safe place for their family. Before moving to a safer neighborhood in San Leandro, they had lived in hotels for security.
Despite the horrendous event, Kenny continued his recovery and started walking on crutches. He also attended Chabot College while majoring in communications.
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Kenny Jr.’s Love For Basketball Still Remains
Even if Kenny could not get into the NBA, it didn’t diminish his enthusiasm for the hoops; he shifted towards wheelchair basketball.
Keshad believes his brother would have been a better player than him if the incident had never happened. Before the incident, they would practice together and often had a competitive nature.
Initially, Kenny was his idol, inspiring Keshad to play basketball. Therefore, he was presented with his brother’s No. 16 jersey after the incident.
Since that day, the Arizona Wildcats forward has kept progressing, taking inspiration from his brother and improving himself with each game.
Did You Know? The Acorn gang member Houston “No No” Nathaniel III, responsible for shooting Kenny Johnson, received 43 years in federal prison in U.S. District Court in Oakland.
Keshad Johnson Is The First UnderGraduate Of His Family: Meet His Parents
The 2024 NBA draft prospect was born to Kenny Johnson Sr. and Rochelle Owens. He was the first to break the barrier in his family by becoming the first undergraduate.
As reported, his father, Kenny Sr., and his brother only completed high school. On the other hand, his mother, Rochelle, dropped out of high school at 15 after being pregnant.
According to his dad’s Facebook profile, Kenny Sr. works as a deep cleaner at Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel (2018—present). He previously worked at Marriott International. Nothing much about mom’s professional endeavor is out. Keshad’s parents reside in California.
Johnson highly regards his family and their struggle to help him reach his potential. He still consults with his family and advisors before deciding on his career.
Despite his busy career and educational pursuits, Keshad always showcases his love for and appreciation for his parents. On August 12, 2019, he made an IG post with a touching caption wishing his mother’s 53rd birthday.
The talented forward grew up with his five siblings in the Lower Bottoms neighborhood of West Oakland. He was the youngest, and his older brother, Kenny, was the second youngest. However, further information on his other siblings remains under wraps.
Also Read: Terrence Shannon Jr.’s Parents Are Divorced- He Has Seven Siblings
Is Keshad Johnson Related To Keyshawn Johnson?
Keshad’s exceptional gameplay is making waves around the basketball community. As a result, many are asking if he belongs to a family with an athletic lineage. Some also query whether Keshad is related to an NFL player, Keyshawn Johnson. Probably, their shared surname “Johnson” to this.
However, the budding basketball player has no relation with the Super Bowl XXXVII winner Keyshawn. The only things they have in common are their hard work and immense love for sports.
Three-time Pro Bowl honoree Keyshawn Johnson is related to a different athlete: his nephew, Michael Thomas. He has followed in his uncle’s footsteps and plays in the NFL.
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A Softwarica College graduate, Anish Thapa’s passion for insightful articles led him to content writing to uncover and create impact-driven content that delivers value to readers. With more than three years of expertise as a seasoned content writer combined with his fascination for Hollywood and Sports, his well-curated articles reflect his dedication to quality and excellence.
