Spurs coach Mitch Johnson is son of Milwaukee legend John Johnson
San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson grew up on the West Coast, but he has interesting Milwaukee connection.
Any history of basketball in Milwaukee has to include John Johnson . His contributions have been a little lost to history, but the 6-foot-7 Johnson was a NBA champion and a precursor to the do-it-all wing players who are so prevalent in the game these days. Johnson died at 68 in 2016 .
His influence lives on, however, with his son Mitch in his first full season as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. “I enjoy hearing the stories now and I enjoyed hearing the stories from him,” Mitch Johnson said before the Spurs faced the Bucks on March 28 at Fiserv Fourm . “Because obviously this game is connected from its origin and the people that have been here before us that laid the foundation.
Gave us direction to continue to grow this game. ” John Johnson and “Downtown” Freddie Brown had unique partnership There has never been a Milwaukee hoops partnership like John Johnson and “Downtown” Freddie Brown . They grew up playing together at Lapham and Red Arrow parks, and partnered in summer leagues all over the area.
Johnson started high school at St. Benedict the Moor before it shuttered for financial reasons, then landed at Messmer in 1963. Brown played on Lincoln High School teams that are considered some of the best in state history .