Taking a shot

It has been 20 years since Larry Johnson played for the Odessa College men's basketball team.

Before becoming a college and NBA star, Johnson was standout for the Wranglers, a two-time junior college national player of the year in the 1988 and 1989 seasons.

Yet when he returns to Odessa, like he has each year of Larry Johnson Celebrity Golf Tournament, he picks up where he left off two decades ago.

Among friends, in a place where he did much of his development as a player.

"It's like I never left," Johnson said. "Old faces, familiar faces. Talk it up, have a great time and play some golf."

Johnson won a national championship with UNLV in 1990 and earned the John R. Wooden award, given to the nation's top college player, in 1991.

He was selected No. 1 overall in 1991 by the Charlotte Hornets, where he left in 1996 to play for the New York Knicks until 2001. The NBA's Rookie of the Year in 1992 and a two-time All-Star, Johnson helped the Knicks reach the 1999 NBA Finals, losing to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5.

Johnson was in one of the 21 five-player groups at the fourth annual tournament Thursday at the Odessa Country Club's Link Course.

The proceeds from the tournament are applied toward the OC players' summer session, which helps them remain on track academically.

"Anything I can do for (head) coach (Dennis) Helms (after) what they did for me," Johnson said. "It's the least I can do for what they did for me."

Helms estimated this year's tournament will raise $10,000 to $15,000 from sponsors, donations and an auction.

"I'm honored that (Johnson) comes back to help the school," Helms said. "He remembers the place that helped him out and he gives back."

And as much as Johnson's name helps the tournament's success, Johnson also comes back to Odessa because, well, he wants to win the tournament. So do the many other athletes participating. That's what happens when you get them together in a sporting event.

"Are you kidding? We're competitive in it all," Johnson said. "It doesn't matter what it is. I ain't trying to look bad - we got Miss Texas out here."

Johnson hits the links more than the hardwood nowadays.

Johnson, who lives in the Dallas area and owns a water company, golfs "as often as I can." Much of his time, though, is spent hanging out as much as he can with his four children, some who participate in high-level basketball camps.

Johnson's career was successful, and Odessa College played a unique role in his basketball journey.

More than anything, he said, it was the first taste of being on his own and realizing what it was like to be a standout basketball player.

"My first experience in college was Odessa College," Johnson said. "You have to get your own groceries, do your own laundry, stuff like that. ... It was a great experience because it was college life.

"It's the start. Speaking of myself, ‘B.M.O.C.' - big man on campus walking around, ‘That's Larry Johnson.' It's like walking around and you're a star."

At the course Thursday, Johnson received the most attention, the most photo requests. For one more day, he is again the biggest star.