Sept. 10, 2004
ATLANTA – After two seasons and a pair of knee surgeries as a Yellow Jacket, redshirt sophomore April Johnson announced the end of her career Friday morning after speaking with the sports medicine staff, her coaches, and the athletic administration. A Macon, Ga. native, Johnson will work as a student assistant for the women’s basketball team for the remainder of her career at Georgia Tech, assisting the coaching staff with day-to-day team operations.
“Though I have loved playing basketball, the past two years have been really hard on me,” Johnson said. “God leads you to where he wants you to be, and right now this is where he is pulling me. I’m very thankful that Georgia Tech and Coach Joseph have given me the opportunity to be involved with the team as a student assistant, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming season.”
Johnson returned for her second season in 2003-04 after earning a redshirt her freshmen year when she suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament to her left knee after six games in 2002-03. She played in 25 of 26 games during her second year, averaging 4.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per contest before tearing the ACL in her right knee prior to the Yellow Jackets’ final home game of the season. She earned a pair of starts against Duke and Virginia and scored a season-high of 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting at Old Dominion.
“Although we are very sad for April that her basketball career at this point has come to and end, we are in total support of her decision to forego her eligibility at this time because of her two ACL injuries,” said Joseph. “My staff and I are excited about April’s desire to continue on with the team in the capacity as a student assistant. She has and will continue to be an asset to Georgia Tech women’s basketball.”
In two years as a Yellow Jacket, Johnson played in a total 31 contests, averaging 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in just over 17 minutes per game.
In high school, Johnson was a three-time USA Today honorable mention All-American and a two-time preseason honorable mention All-America selection by Street & Smith. The No. 30 prospect in the nation, according to All Star Girls Report, Johnson finished her career as Jones County High School’s career leader in points and rebounds.
Johnson is majoring in management and is expected to graduate in May, 2006.
