Jan. 6, 2015
At last Saturday's game against the Santa Clara Broncos, senior Johnny Dee made history breaking the USD's all-time scoring record. Dee is currently at 1,808 points and expressed, "I wanted to prove I can play at this level and score some points." In his career with the Toreros, Dee has led the team in scoring every season and is currently has the most career three-pointers of any active player.
"Every defense is designed to stop Johnny," head coach Bill Grier expressed. It's amazing how his game has evolved. When he first got here he was more of just a shooter, that's about all he did. Now he has learned to play out of a ball screen, he has learned how to drive and shoot floaters, he is such a good free throw shooter and he has learned how to get to the free throw line. So, all those things I think he has developed in parts of his game he has become more than just a shooter. I'm blessed to have had the opportunity to coach him for four years."
Watch head coach Bill Grier and Johnny Dee's full interviews below.
Johnny Dee: 'Special Player' Sets Scoring Record
By: Ryan T. Blystone
Five years ago, University of San Diego assistant men's basketball coach Mike Burns sat amongst the crowd in a gymnasium for a high school playoff game between Rancho Buena Vista and El Camino when he witnessed a performance that sold him on Johnny Dee.
"I was there the night he put up 51 points against El Camino. You do not do that to a Ray Johnson-coached team unless you're truly a special player," said Burns, praising both Dee's effort and Johnson, the CIF San Diego Section's winningest boys basketball coach.
That night, Burns saw a glimpse of what he thought could energize USD's struggling basketball program. Dee, despite his under-six-foot size, had the ability to score points, had passion for the game and would be a good asset.
"He came into the program when we needed someone like him to take shots, make shots and the opportunity to play was there," Burns said. "Opportunity, talent and time. It's all worked out well. He's a unique talent, has an unbelievable work ethic and great character. You combine all that and you've got a special player."
Today, Dee's special talent has not only been witnessed by USD coaches, players, fans, and opponents for four years, it's now cemented in the program's record book for all to see.
Three minutes, 10 seconds into the Toreros' Jan. 3 West Coast Conference game at Santa Clara, the 5-foot-11 senior guard hit a 3-pointer to become USD's all-time scoring leader.
He finished the game with 20 points, pushing the record mark to 1,808. He surpassed the previous mark of 1,790 points, set by Brandon Johnson (2005-10).
"I'm really proud of what Johnny's accomplished in this program, in his career," USD Coach Bill Grier said. "Coming out of high school, with his size, there weren't many people who thought he could play at this level, let alone become the school's all-time leading scorer. But having him as the guy who represents the program that way, he's the ultimate student-athlete. He's been as good off the floor as on it. He's done it in the classroom and out in the community."
What USD also gained from Dee is a player that when he sets the individual record, his biggest concern isn't the attention it will garner for him, but more about the frustration that the milestone came in a tough 59-56 loss for the Toreros.
"It was a pretty good feeling, I'm definitely proud and humbled by (the record), but I wish it came in a win. That would have been a hundred times better."
Developing His Game
When it comes to basketball and playing on offense, Dee's objective is simple: "I've got a scorer's mentality. If I can get open, I want to shoot it and I want to make it."
Sounds simple. But there's much more to how Dee became USD's all-time leading scorer.
"We have someone representing the program that has gone about stuff the right way," Grier said. "Johnny's earned everything he's accomplished. He's worked really hard to make himself into a player at this level."
Dee's love of the game produces a passion to play. His dedication to hard work - especially his gameday preparation and focus - and an inner confidence that isn't cocky enables him to thrive. And, Grier states, he's coachable.
"When he first got here he was a shooter and that's about all he was. But now, he's learned to play out of a ball screen, he's learned how to drive and shoot floaters and runners. He's such a good free-throw shooter that he's learned how to get to the free-throw line. All of those things he's developed. He's become so much more than just a shooter."
That Dee set the scoring record by making a 3-pointer is appropriate. Dee became USD's career leader for 3-pointers made and attempted last season. He enters USD's Jan. 8 home game against Loyola Marymount with 303 3-point field goals made in 736 attempts (41 percent success).
"Making threes, a lot of times, can be a dagger shot. There are teams that chase me so far off the line that if I make a three, it deflates them a little bit. Especially when you make deep threes, the guys will say, 'I didn't know I had to guard him out there.' It's a mental edge. Being able to score helps other guys on our team. When I come off these screens, the (opposing) big guys will come help out really far and it opens up the paint for Jito (Kok) or Thomas (Jacobs) to get an easy layup."
The role of a top shooter gives Dee a boost he needs to succeed at the Division I level, a heavy dose of mental toughness and a short memory.
"Confidence is a huge thing for me. I've always been told 'you might not be able to score at this level.' There have always been concerns that I'm 5-11, not that athletic and not super quick. But I've always believed I could score. I've worked very hard. I've watched film, I've seen the tendencies. I'm confident if I can get an open shot, I can make it."
Added Grier: "Johnny is the type of scorer that if he misses 10 straight, in his mind, the 11th is going in. I think that's why he's become such a good scorer."
The Right Fit
Dee was immediately put into Grier's starting lineup in a West Coast Conference that features Gonzaga, St. Mary's and, in the same year, saw the debut of BYU.
But Dee adjusted quickly to the college game, rewarding Grier's trust of putting him in the starting lineup as a freshman. Dee started 30 of USD's 31 games, averaged 29.5 minutes per game and led the Toreros in scoring (13.7 ppg). His 426 points were a USD freshman record. He scored in double figures in 20 games, including a 30-point performance in a 2012 WCC Tournament win against Pepperdine. That remains Dee's USD career-high total in a game.
Dee led the Toreros in scoring his sophomore and junior seasons, averaging 15 and 16.6 points, respectively. He was the national leader in free-throw percentage (.945, 120-127) last year and he earned WCC and national accolades for both his play on the court and his academic performance as a business administration major.
Dee is averaging a team-high 18.1 points so far, but in his final season, he knows time is running out for the one thing he and his his teammates desire most.
"Getting the next banner in 2015," referring to the hope of USD getting its first NCAA Tournament bid since 2008 despite the usual WCC roadblocks. The Toreros, with 14 WCC regular season games left, hope to get back on track after a 1-3 conference start.
"I wanted us to have the best year as a team that we've had," Dee said. "We've gotten better each of the last three years I've been here." USD was 13-18, then 16-18 and last spring, the team went 18-17, which included a 2-1 mark in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT).
The Toreros' 2014-15 basketball season actually began last summer with an academic focus. Most of the team took the university's first true study abroad class by a sports team. The course, Early Christianity, was partially taught on campus and then, for 11 days, in Italy.
NCAA rules enabled the team to have extra practice time. USD played three exhibition games, saw the Vatican, the Colisseum and more before taking a final exam. The trip made a close team even stronger.
Grier asked Dee to not only provide his usual offensive spark, but also to assume a greater leadership role.
"He talked to me a lot about being a vocal leader," Dee said. "I'm close with all of my teammates, that's not something I needed to work on, but it was more about being a vocal leader on the court, helping guys in and out of plays. I make sure when I'm off the court, I'm paying attention and I'll maybe direct a guy on what to do after a play is over."
Grier has specifically wanted Dee and senior point guard Chris Anderson to mentor and expedite the development of freshmen guards, Marcus Harris and Vasa Pusica.
"I'm learning the importance of leadership and it's something I want to develop more," Dee said. "It's been very beneficial that as we move on I'm talking more. I want to get to know these guys and show them some things I've learned because it's a different game going from high school to college."
Motivation and Inspiration
As Dee's on-court leadership skills evolve, no one can deny that he's way ahead in his ability to connect with people.
Dee and teammates have made a concerted effort to speak directly to the USD student population and encourage organizations to attend games and support the basketball program.
"This is a free opportunity to watch Division I basketball in a great conference. It's not something they'll get to do outside of being a college student so they should take advantage of it," he said.
Dee and Jacobs, a senior forward, joined a fraternity last year to help bridge a gap between the Greek organizations and USD student-athletes. He's been encouraged by increased student support and hopes it continues this season and for future Torero teams.
"Having student at our games makes it a lot more fun," Dee said. "It gives us an advantage when our students are there and we're able to connect with them. That's what college is all about."
Dee's support system also includes his faith. Dee, a devout Christian, said his faith has endured since he arrived at USD.
"One thing I've learned and tried to study as much as possible is that whole first year of college and how big that is on a student. The first year really tests your faith and how real it is for you and how personal it was. For me, it was a chance to trust God with everything. It drew me closer to him because of the people I was around and the situation I was in," said Dee, who leads a student Bible study and prayer group. "No doubt, a lot of things can draw you away in college, that's just the way it is. People are here and on their own for the first time so it's easier to rebel and do other things. The whole time, though, I've felt God was leading me to even better things."
On the court, Dee credits his faith for helping him keep things in perspective.
"I see guys in the NBA and other professional athletes all the time whose whole identity is wrapped up in their performance on the court or the field. For me, I know if I miss a shot or have a bad game, God loves me, my family loves me and my teammates are with me. For me it's playing in a way that honors and glorifies God and, above all, thankfulness that I got an opportunity to play this game. My faith allows me to play with confidence and the freedom of not having to feel the pressure of being a failure. If I didn't have my faith, I'd probably hold onto (a loss) a little longer than I should. Instead, I'm able to move on a little quicker because I know I have another opportunity coming up."
