Lower Gwynedd Resident Overcomes Odds, Plays for Tar Heels

D.J. Johnston knows all about beating the odds.

The Lower Gwynedd native and Germantown Academy graduate went to the University of North Carolina with the hopes of one day playing basketball for the Tar Heels.

Johnston was forced to wait his turn with the junior varsity squad, and also had to overcome an injury. However, Johnston never gave up, and he found himself on the varsity roster at North Carolina this past season.

“It was a dream come true,” said Johnston. “I always wanted to make the team.  My dad played there a long time ago. I was always a fan growing up. To finally be able to make the team was living the dream.”

Johnston’s dream turned into reality as he came off the bench for a Tar Heels team that finished 29-8 and advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. 

Johnston played in 13 games for North Carolina. He averaged only 1.6 minutes per game, but just being a part of the Tar Heels was a tremendous accomplishment considering the long road Johnston traveled to make the roster his senior season.

Johnston transferred from Catholic University and was forced to sit out a year.  He was able to play for the JV squad the following season, but tore the labrum in his shoulder and was forced to undergo surgery.

It appeared Johnston would never get the chance to play for the Tar Heels, but he recovered from his surgery and was on the roster for the 2010-11 season.

“It was kind of rough,” Johnston said. “I just kept at it, and it was all worth it.”

Johnston’s main job was to help the top players in practice. Such is the basketball life of a reserve walk-on at North Carolina, but it was an experience Johnston will never forget.

“I got to start on senior night,” said Johnston. “I got some minutes in some games. I was treated the same way as everyone else, and it was an unbelievable experience.”

One of the benefits of playing for North Carolina is being a part of one of the greatest rivalries in sports. The North Carolina-Duke battles are some of the most intense in college basketball, and Johnston had the chance to experience the rivalry up close.

“You don’t get the same sense on TV as to how intense it gets in the arena,” Johnston said. “The fans are going crazy.  You’re playing hard every game, but the Duke game always seems a little more meaningful. The intensity is awesome.”

Johnston also had the chance to participate in the NCAA Tournament. It proved to be quite an experience for Johnston both on and off the court.

"The NCAA Tournament is a different experience,” said Johnston. “You have down time, but it involves a lot of media stuff. People ask you questions that you wouldn’t normally be asked. Just keeping your head in it can be a tough thing to do, but it was fun.”

Johnston’s path to North Carolina began in his hometown. He played basketball at the Wissahickon Athletic Club and also played with Whitpain Basketball.  While Johnston’s father had plenty of basketball blood, he allowed his son to determine if he wanted to follow in his footsteps on the court.

“I really loved it,” Johnston said. “It was never forced on me by my dad. He signed me up for a team, and I was hooked.”

Johnston moved on to Germantown Academy, where he was a first-team all-conference selection in his senior year.

Johnston also improved over the summer, where several former stars conjugated during the off-season on the college and pro level.

“It was especially good during the summer because people always came back,” said Johnston. “I got to play against people who had been playing college basketball. After I graduated high school, I would get the chance to play against some pro guys who came back during the summer. It was kind of a hub for people to come and play, and it really helped develop me as a player.”

Johnston is staying in North Carolina after landing a job in medical sales connected with sports-related injuries. He will be working with the same surgeon who repaired his labrum.

As Johnston begins the next chapter of his life, his experience at North Carolina will stay with him forever.

“You think of the people who played at North Carolina,” Johnston said. “I’m one of the 450 or so people who ever played for UNC. I’m going to be a part of the Carolina basketball family forever.”