Carl Albert’s Austin Johnson

Austin Johnson has a simple philosophy on the basketball court: find a way.

As a junior varsity basketball player for the Carl Albert High School Titans, the versatile guard-post hybrid has spent his high school career learning to use every tool available to him. Bigger than most perimeter players but quick-minded enough to play the backcourt, Johnson has had to sharpen his game to compete at every level.

“I play guard and post,” he said. “What’s difficult in school ball is I’m a big guard and I got to find other ways to beat quicker kids to get to my spots.”

It is that kind of problem-solving mentality — both on and off the court — that defines Johnson’s approach to the game. He describes himself as “a 3-level scorer with a high IQ,” and he is clear-eyed about what he needs to do next.

“My strengths: I’m a 3-level scorer with a high IQ,” Johnson said. “What I’m going to keep working on is getting stronger, that will take my game to another level.”

Off the court, the junior credits the environment at Carl Albert for helping him grow as both a player and a person.

“I love Carl Albert because everyone on the staff pushes me and my teammates to be the best versions of ourselves,” he said. “What I love most about my teammates is that we are one big brotherhood and all play for each other.”

When it comes to personal inspiration, Johnson looks beyond the hardwood. His grandparents — particularly his grandmother, whom he calls “meme,” a former coach — have been a steady guiding force.

“Who inspires me are my grandparents,” he said. “My meme was a coach and is always helping me and pointing me in the right direction.”

His future plans mirror that drive. Johnson hopes to continue playing at the collegiate level after graduating from Carl Albert and eventually build a career connected to sports.

“When I graduate, I would like to play sports at the next level and eventually find a career around sports,” he said.