A Rising Star in Loyola Men’s Basketball

In the heart of New Orleans, a story of perseverance and growth is unfolding on the basketball court. Kam Johnson, an Archbishop Shaw alum, has become a vital part of Loyola men’s basketball, leading the Wolf Pack to more wins this season than they had in the entire 2025 campaign. His impact on the team has been nothing short of remarkable.

Johnson is currently leading the Wolf Pack in scoring, assists, steals, and minutes played. His ability to handle a heavy workload has surprised even first-year head coach Trey Lindsey. “We’re putting a lot of pressure on a dude that’s only 5’10,” Lindsey said. “He’s playing almost 37.5 minutes a game. We’ve really asked him to lead this team, and he’s stepped up.”

One of the main reasons for Johnson’s success is his personal commitment to improvement. As a junior, he is averaging over 17 points per game, doubling his scoring output from last season. This increase in production was a goal he set for himself early on. “That actually was one of the goals I wrote down in my notes was to double every category,” Johnson explained. “I just feel like my three ball has been really helping me a lot. It clears up a lot of lanes.”

His shooting efficiency from three-point range, over 40%, has been instrumental in creating opportunities for his teammates. With an average of 6.5 assists per game, Johnson not only scores but also facilitates the offense effectively.

Despite facing challenges due to key injuries on the roster, Johnson’s leadership has been a cornerstone of the team’s success. Coach Lindsey emphasized the importance of Johnson’s role as a leader. “We just talked early every day in practice. It’s the Kellen-Sampson. The head coach and the point guard can’t have a bad practice. Challenged him to have that voice. Told him you’ve got the basketball IQ. You have the production. Guys are looking to you to lead so people look to him. And when he speaks, people listen.”

For Johnson, taking on a leadership role has been a new experience. “It’s something I’m new to in college at least because Braelee (Albert) and Milan (Mejia) were our leaders last year, so I never had to lead vocally, but this year, I feel like that’s more of my role. I had to learn how to talk to certain guys certain ways, but I feel I’ve been doing a great job. That’s something I’m proud of myself.”

Beyond the court, Johnson’s journey has brought joy to his family. Moving from the Westbank to Uptown to play for Loyola has been a cherished opportunity for him. “This is great. My family be coming to the game. It’s really important for me. My high school coach, Coach Wesley (Laurendine), he be texting me. He be tuning into the games. Loyola’s a good school, good culture, being in the city, I feel like everything is what I needed.”

The support from his community has been significant. “My fans, the people at home, people I grew up with get to come to the game, watch me still in the city, so I feel like it was a great decision to come here.”

In Loyola’s most recent victory against Brewton-Parker, Johnson played a pivotal role. He finished with a game-high 25 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, contributing to the Wolf Pack’s 88-73 win. This marks their fourth-straight victory, showcasing the team’s momentum.

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Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the world of Loyola men’s basketball and beyond.