Former Husker headed to Lakers training camp

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BY CURT McKEEVER / Lincoln Journal Star

This is Nate Johnson's load-up-the-truck, Beverly Hillbillies moment.

In May, the former Nebraska basketball player began his professional career with the Kansas Cagerz of the United States Basketball League.

Late next month, he'll head to the Los Angeles Lakers' training camp in Irvine, Calif.

"I went out for summer league and it was supposed to be a two-day trial thing just to see how Iplayed," Johnson said Tuesday. "They liked me enough to keep me the whole league."

During his two weeks there, the undrafted, unheralded 6-foot-2 guard showed the Lakers enough of his game to be offered the chance to make the club.

"I signed Saturday," he said. "I have a contract for a year that's based on how I do in veteran's camp."

Though he still faces long odds to make the 12-man roster, Johnson is one of just three point guards currently signed by the Lakers. The others are Chucky Atkins, a five-year pro acquired in an Aug. 8 trade with Boston, and Sasha Vujacic a 6-foot-7 Slovenian whom the Lakers took with the 27th pick of the 2004 draft.

"My head's not spinning, but I'm happy for the opportunity," Johnson said. "Alot of people get this and don't take heed to it. I feel like I can step up."

Johnson came to Nebraska after playing two seasons at Penn Valley (Mo.)Community College, where he was an All-American. He averaged 13.3 points as a junior and last season led the Huskers in scoring and was second in rebounding while averaging the most minutes on the team.

With the Cagerz this summer, he averaged 14.5 points in 26 games and was named to the USBL all-rookie team.

"I just ran the team, made good decisions and played defense," said Johnson, adding that his best-case hope for this summer was "exactly what's happened right now."