Butter Johnson will return to the 49ers team for his senior season |
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Butter Johnson Returns to 49ers Basketball Program
July 17, 2003
Charlotte, N.C. - Charlotte 49ers men's basketball coach Bobby Lutz announced today, that he has accepted the request of 6-8 senior forward Kevin "Butter" Johnson (Bronx, N.Y.) to return to the team, reversing Johnson's decision to transfer earlier this year.
"I believe in giving second chances to people when the situation merits it," said Lutz. "Kevin approached us about returning to our program and completely understands the commitment necessary for him to be successful."
Johnson was fourth on the team, last year, with a 6.6 scoring average and 3.5 rebounding average. He shot .371 from the floor, while averaging 19.7 minutes. He started in 10 of the 49ers first 12 games, but just two of the final 17 games. Johnson scored in double figures, six times, with a career-high 22-point outing in a win over Southern Illinois. He scored 20 points with nine rebounds and a career-best five assists at Appalachian State.
"I have spent a lot of time looking at a lot of different schools over the past several months," Johnson said, "and I realized I never should have left Charlotte. My true friends and family never really wanted me to leave in the first place. I am really excited that Coach Lutz is allowing me to return the team. I understand what is expected of me and can't wait to put this past year behind me and help the team get back to the NCAA Tournament, which is where we belong. It's not everyday that you get a second chance and I plan to take advantage of it."
"I think his decision shows maturity and we are excited about his desire to contribute again to Charlotte basketball," added Lutz. "Kevin has a lot of talent and the situation this year is going to be a lot different for him than it was last year. The distractions will be minimized and I'm confident he will have a productive and enjoyable senior season. He understands his role and his desire to return shows he eagerly accepts the opportunity."
In his three-year career, Johnson has played in 89 games, averaging 6.0 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting .426 from the floor. During the 49ers 2002 NCAA Tournament season, Johnson averaged 8.2 points and was second on the team with 4.6 rebounds as the 49ers sixth-man. That season, he also averaged 10.0 points and 4.9 rebounds and shot .531 from the floor, that season, in Conference USA games. He played in all 33 games, as a freshman, when the 49ers won the 2001 C-USA Championship and earned an NCAA Tournament berth in 2001. He averaged 3.5 points and 2.7 rebounds, that season.
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