Flight 14 get ready for takeoff
If pushing past your limits were a person, it would be Kaden Johnson. Kaden Johnson has gone through many different challenges in basketball and has pushed past each of the limits. Kaden Johnson is a 6’7 all around player, who can do it all on the court. Kaden has pushed past his limits from injuries, and having to push through the many obstacles that basketball and life has thrown at him.
Some people even call Kaden, “Flight 14” for his high flying dunks, and super athletic abilities. I was very grateful to have the chance to sit down with Kaden Johnson. He was a very good sport, and gave me some of his very important time to stop and talk to me about his basketball career, and the obstacles that he has overcome.
“How was it dealing with coming back from injury?” Johnson told me, “It was hard, as it’s a big mental stress but this year was the year I fully felt strong in my legs this year.” Kaden has gone through so much, and yet he keeps on pushing past his limits. He came back even healthier than before and has continued to grow since.
“How does it feel getting coached by different coaches with different play styles? Johnson told me,“See how I work in different systems and what I thrive in, and I have a way different role in both and they make me a better player.” Johnson is someone who thrives in any environment, and he doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make plays, as the ball sort of gravitates toward him. He is an amazing athlete but more importantly he has a great head on his shoulders.
“What are your goals with basketball overall?” Johnson answered honestly, “I got the intangibles to be great, and I wanna live up to my full potential, whatever that may be. I just wanna play at the highest level I can, and be a factor on a championship winning team.” To me this showed how confident he truly is, and how he knows that if he works hard enough, he can do anything that he wants. Kaden shows just how good he really is, and how much he believes in himself.
“What has been your favorite basketball memory?” “Getting my first dunk in 8th grade.” This has shown not only his growth but the fact that he was able to dunk then just shows how truly athletic is. Johnson has grown and become a better basketball player overall.
“What player did you model your game after?” Johnson told me, “Cooper Flagg.” You can tell this in the way that each of them play the game, both Flagg and Johnson, completely take over games when they want to. This also shows in the fact that they both never stop working hard, and improving on their games.
“How long have you been playing basketball?” Johnson let me know, “4 Years, started in 8th grade.” Kaden has grown every single year he has played basketball, and he continues to grow more and more. His work ethic is one of his defining features, and it truly does show.
“What are your plans after high school?” Johnson informed me, “Play basketball at the next level.” Johnson is very confident in his abilities, and he knows how good he could be if he continues to grow and work hard to become the player he knows he can be.
“Who pushes you the hardest?” Johnson answered, “My Mom. She does everything for me, and she has pushed me to be the greatest person, and player I can be.” Johnson has a really good head on his shoulders, and his mom seems to be the reason for that. Kaden is a good player, and even better person, and this all stems from the people that helped him become the person he is today.
“What have been the hardest challenges in basketball for you?” Johnson told me, “Overall a lot of challenges, and it’s been hard to push through. ‘Dead by a thousand cuts.’” Johnson showed me how hard it has been, and the obstacles that he has gone through have been hard, but he seems to keep pushing through and getting better overall.
“How has it been dealing with working and being an athlete?” Johnson answered, “Had to fit both into my schedule and would miss work a lot more for athletics.” This shows Johson’s time management skills, and how hard he has to work to keep up with his busy schedule.
Johnson was an excellent sport about letting me interview him, and I really believe that he has a lot of potential, and can go as far as he pushes himself to go. I see a lot of great things in him, and I think that he can only go up from where he is at. Johnson is a 6’7 all around athlete, who can jump out the jump, and continues to make amazing strides for his career, and continues to be a better overall player. He continues to push past his limits. Get ready for Flight 14 to take flight.
