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Gianna Johnson feels right at home on the basketball court and at George School

There’s no place like home.

Even if finding a place to call home takes a little longer than anticipated.

For Gianna Johnson it's George School.

Transferring to George School for her junior year was a turning point. From the academics, to her classmates, and her basketball career, it turned out to be the perfect fit.

George School's Gianna Johnson (55) scores against Pennington's Morgan Matthews (11) during a Dec. 11 game.
George School's Gianna Johnson (55) scores against Pennington's Morgan Matthews (11) during a Dec. 11 game.

“It’s a great atmosphere,” said Johnson, who is now a senior. “I fit in here (George School) more than I have anywhere else.”

And then there’s basketball.

Prior to her junior year, Johnson, a 6-foot-5 center, hadn’t received much college interest, and didn’t have a single college offer.

That changed in a hurry.

By the end of her junior year, Johnson, who averaged 12 points, shot 50 percent from the field, and averaged nine rebounds and two blocks per game, had received over two dozen offers, including many from Division I schools.

Committing to play Division 1 basketball at the University of Delaware

While it was a tough decision, Johnson knew what she was looking for in a school.

“The University of Delaware was one the first schools that recruited me, and they’ve had my back the whole journey,” said Johnson. “I loved my visits to the campus, and everyone I’ve met.

“I just love everything about the school.”

“ ... The coaching staff and players seemed so close-knit and supportive,” she said.

Connection to coaching at George School

A connection with the coaching staff was essential for Johnson, who treasures her bond with George School head coach La’Keisha Sutton.

Sutton trained Johnson for two years prior to her transferring to the school, and has been crucial to Johnson’s on-court development and navigating the recruiting process.

“Coach Sutton saw my potential and really supported both me and my parents in the college recruiting process,” Johnson said. “She’s helped me improve, and is still doing that.”

“I’m happy she chose a college that needed her and believed in her abilities," Sutton said. "She’s my first college kid in the program. She’s going to be a pro one day.”

Johnson’s ascension is even more impressive considering she didn’t begin playing basketball until seventh grade. While Johnson grew up in a basketball family – her father is a coach, and her brother plays for Conwell-Egan – she wanted to take her own path.

“My middle school coach asked me to join the team,” Johnson said. “And I knew right away that basketball was going to be my sport.”

A record-breaking season

George School's Gianna Johnson (55) under the basket against Pennington's Gabrielle Hall (34) during their girls' basketball game in Newtown on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023.

[Daniella Heminghaus | Bucks County Courier Times]
George School's Gianna Johnson (55) under the basket against Pennington's Gabrielle Hall (34) during their girls' basketball game in Newtown on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023. [Daniella Heminghaus | Bucks County Courier Times]

Johnson and the Cougars have some pretty lofty goals for the season, including the first 20-win season in team history, a Friends School League championship, and a PAISAA state championship. Based on their start to the season, they may just reach all three.

The Cougars are 5-0, including a win at the prestigious She Got Game Classic in D.C., with Johnson leading the way.

In their season opener, Johnson tallied 40 points, and broke the school’s record for rebounds in a game with a jaw-dropping 25. She is averaging 28.5 points, 13.25 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, up from 12 points per game last year, and hopes to reach 1,000 career points this season.

“My coaches challenged me to increase my scoring this season,” Johnson said. “They think I can average 30 points.”

“Gianna is a coach's dream: high-character kid, coachable, great teammate and she likes to be challenged,” Sutton said. “I just asked her to be dominant on both ends of the floor and she’s doing that. (She’s) on a mission to become PA Girls Gatorade Player of the Year.”

While scoring is the focal point for many basketball players, Johnson has always loved playing defense.

“I’m more of a natural rebounder, and that’s how I get most of my points,” Johnson said. “And I love making a block in a game. That really hypes me up.”

A Learning Experience for Gianna Johnson

Last year’s team had a respectable but underwhelming 16-13 record, but things look much different this season.

“I’m much more confident this year,” Johnson said. “Our team has so much chemistry, and we’re very close-knit. We spend almost every second of the day together.”

Johnson’s comfort level at the school extends beyond the basketball court.

“I never really liked math before, but this year trigonometry is my favorite subject,” said Johnson, who previously attended Harry S. Truman and Conwell-Egan. “The teachers really made things click.”

Johnson plans to major in sports management at Delaware, with a potential future career as a sports agent. She cites Nicole Lynn, the agent who represents Jalen Hurts, as inspiring her to pursue the traditionally male-dominated profession.

Johnson, who enjoys watching the WNBA and women’s college basketball, also takes inspiration from the trailblazers who have made an impact in women’s basketball. That’s why Johnson was thrilled to meet three-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time WNBA MVP Sheryl Swoopes at the It’s Her Shot girls basketball clinic in New York.

Bucks County's Top 12: Best girls basketball players going into the 2023-24 season

“Honestly, playing professionally after college is something I’d love to do,” Johnson said. “Either the WNBA, or playing overseas. It’s definitely something I’ve thought about.”

For now though, Johnson is focused on her senior season. When she isn’t training or playing basketball, Johnson enjoys reading – “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” is a recent favorite – and watching her favorite show, “Lessons in Chemistry”.

“I’m super excited about the rest of the season, and about my future at Delaware,” Johnson said. “I’m so happy to find two places that are perfect fits for me.”

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Girls Basketball George School's Gianna Johnson chooses Delaware