Louisiana UnLimited: Giving Back to Her Community

As someone who grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana, played high school ball at Lafayette Christian Academy and has played four years for the Louisiana women's basketball team, Tamera Johnson values the impact of the community on her life.

To give back this past summer, Johnson held a camp for boys and girls ages 8-17 at LCA. On the first day of the two-day camp, Johnson and her teammates taught the fundamentals of basketball before applying the fundamentals in different competitions on the final day.

"I had been working a bunch of AAU tournaments and that allowed me to be around local athletes. So just by working the clock at games, it gave me the idea," Johnson said. "I am from here and knowing these kids they would pass through and they knew me. I wondered if I did a camp, how would that work. So I studied up and invited a bunch of kids that I knew played basketball and it turned out great."

Tamera Johnson Camp

Over 60 kids attended the camp, but what made Johnson's camp unique is she used the profits to buy school supplies for the local kids.

"I am big on my community where I grew up. Just to step out of the car and see that people know who I am and I know that I am inspiration to them is motivating to me," said Johnson. "I wanted to send them off to school with a positive mindset. It ended up all falling into place."

And her impact extended beyond the summer.

Johnson's campers often came to the Cajundome this season to watch her and the Cajuns play, and win, as Louisiana posted eight wins at home.

"It was really cool to see them come back," Johnson said. "Their parents would text me that they were coming to the game. They ride with me. They trust me. They trust me to help develop their kids on and off the court."

Johnson, who participated in the team's senior day activities on February 17 prior to the team's 59-46 win over Arkansas State, has been a standout player for the Ragin' Cajuns over the last four years. She has appeared in 103 games with 85 starts while averaging 9.2 points and 5.5 rebounds.

But while the stats are impressive, what has meant more to Johnson is the ability to play in her hometown and in front of those who have helped her become the person she is today.

"For me, it's heart touching," said Johnson. "I've always felt that I gave my family the opportunity to come out and support me – and they did just that. Being able to stay close to home and play in front of my family and the people that helped develop me and help me become the player I am today is inspirational."

Johnson wants to continue to be a role model after she graduates from UL with a degree in kinesiology this May.

"I am going to occupational therapy school. I am going to look for a university that has my program. I don't want my degree to sit," Johnson said. "Some people come to college to play sports and they have their degree sit. I want to use my degree and go back to school."

And as she prepares for life after graduation, Johnson hopes to continue to give back to Acadiana by continuing her camp this summer.

Tamera Johnson Camp

Louisiana UnLimited: Giving Back to Her Community

Players Mentioned

Tamera Johnson

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University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics

Louisiana UnLimited: Giving Back to Her Community

Players Mentioned

Tamera Johnson

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