BELL BUCKLE, Tenn . – For the third straight summer, the Brooklyn Nets’ 6’5” starting guard, Keon Johnson – a Class of 2020 alumnus from The Webb School – will return to his alma mater in Middle Tennessee to offer a free basketball camp for young athletes ages eight through 18.
Remembering his roots and carrying The Webb School culture and standards with him to this day, Johnson prioritizes paying it forward. He finds joy in mentoring the next generation of young athletes in his local community.
“No matter where I was in my career, I’ve always wanted kids to feel like they could come to me,” said Johnson, who often wished the older, more experienced players in his hometown had been equally as accessible when he was growing up.
A native of Shelbyville, Johnson, joined by his family, Nets affiliates, area coaches and former teammates, has returned to his roots since 2023, offering everything from gear to meals and snacks as well as personalized instruction to campers of all skill levels. Due to its growing popularity, the camp – available to athletes in grades three through 12 – has since been split into two day-long sessions divided by age. The 2025 clinic at Webb will begin with younger campers in grades three through eight on Wednesday, July 23, and conclude with a session for older athletes in grades nine through 12 on Thursday, July 24.
For over 155 years, The Webb School has been guided by a singular mission: “to turn out young people who are tireless workers, and who know how to work effectively; who are accurate scholars; who know the finer points of morals and practice them in their daily living; and who are always courteous [without the slightest trace of snobbery].” “Keon has always had a heart for the youth, and his dedication to serving his community is a testament to his character and values he developed during his time as a Webb student,” said The Webb School’s Associate Director of Athletics and Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach James Garcia.
Johnson first turned his focus to basketball during his sophomore year at Webb. At first eager to find a sport that would ultimately fund his college education, he later considered the transition from baseball to basketball his saving grace. “That was my big leap into who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do in the future,” he said. When asked why he gives back, Johnson added, “I won’t be able to play this game forever, but I’ll always know how, and hopefully I’ll be able to see someone just like me and guide them on the right path.”
Today, Johnson’s #23 high school basketball jersey has been retired and proudly hangs in Webb’s state-of-the-art Barton Athletic Center. •
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