Eric Musselman praises Kamani Johnson for growth as player, person

Arkansas forward Kamani Johnson is one of many transfers brought in so far under Hogs coach Eric Musselman. However, in his first season in Fayetteville last year, Johnson struggled to get consistent minutes on a roster full of players just like him. Lanky, athletic, rangy wings and forwards mostly sized between 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-8. Johnson fits right in there at 6-7, 215 pounds.

This year’s Arkansas roster is more of the same. Speed, length, athleticism up and down the roster, with bodies like Johnson’s a dime a dozen around their locker room. But Johnson won’t passively watch his playing time get taken again this year. With another round of veteran transfers joining a top recruiting class, Arkansas is loaded with talent, but very little experience in Razorback uniforms.

That’s where Johnson comes in. He’s got three years of college ball and one year in Fayetteville under his belt. Among a team full of transfers and true freshmen, he’s neither. He’s a returning Hog. One of the few voices in the locker room who was there a year ago. And according to Musselman, Johnson is grabbing that leadership position and running with it.

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In a press conference the Hogs head coach gave recently, he sung Johnson’s praises in all aspects. Not just his play on the floor, but his leadership off of it, as well as improved academics. It’s been a banner offseason for Kamani Johnson, per his coach:

“Yeah, I mean, I think he’s done a great job. Some of the areas that are just like life skills, important issues, like he’s doing a better job. And, you know, academically, on that aspect. He’s done a a really good job of trying to lead on the floor, off the floor. He continues to make great strides. He’s a voice for our team. You know, I feel like he’s got really great buy-in with the coaching staff.

“So I think he’s really in his time here, which is what you want with all the players. He continues to grow, and in all aspects. And I mean, that’s what college is about for everybody. Is, you know, trying to improve in all facets and along with that, all of us, you look back at at hopefully everybody’s time in college, you continue to grow and and figure things out a little bit more as as time goes on.”

Johnson is making Eric Musselman’s head turn for several reasons both relating to basketball and not at all.