LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - McNeese freshman guard Larry Johnson finished his debut season with 532 points, breaking the program’s freshman scoring record previously held by NBA Hall of Famer Joe Dumars, set in 1982.
“I ain’t gonna lie, I didn’t think it was a possibility,” Johnson said. “It’s just something that happened with hard work and practices and through the flow of the season.”
In addition to the scoring record, Johnson earned the Southland Conference Freshman of the Year award and a spot on the First-Team All-Conference.
Head coach Bill Armstrong said the record carries added weight given its previous holder.
“For him to be able to break a record of a guy who’s a top 75 player in the history of the NBA — just a super, super special moment,” Armstrong said. “I was glad I was able to be a part of it.”
Armstrong said Johnson’s success was a team effort.
“He didn’t do that by himself,” Armstrong said. “His teammates were there every second and did everything they could to get him the ball in the right positions and right situations and put in the work with him. But he’s a special kid, and I’m excited for him.”
Johnson scored 30 points in his first collegiate game and continued to build on that performance throughout the season.
“He came in here from the very first day he got here and started getting to work,” Armstrong said. “As a freshman, you have a lot of things to learn and figure out and he’s just gotten better and better each day.”
Johnson’s season helped McNeese earn an NCAA Tournament berth for the third year in a row.
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