Diamond Johnson First Woman Selected to Men's All-American Game at Iverson Classic 24K Showcase
Mar 02 | Women's Basketball
Incoming Rutgers recruit personally invited by Allen Iverson to be the first woman to integrate a men’s All-American game
PHILADELPHIA (March 2, 2020) – Incoming Rutgers women's basketball signee Diamond Johnson has been selected to participate in the 24K Showcase at the 2020 Allen Iverson Roundball Classic, becoming the first woman to integrate a men's national All-American game at this level.
Allen Iverson personally reached out to Johnson via FaceTime after a practice to invite her to break the barrier and participate in the All-Star showcase with 23 men from around the country. The 24K Showcase will take place on April 22 at 5 p.m. at the 76ers Fieldhouse Arena in Wilmington, Delaware. Tickets for the event can be secured here.
"I've said it before, Diamond is one of the best players in the nation, period," said Rutgers head coach C. Vivian Stringer. "This again proves that she is a once-in-a-generation talent with elite shooting and playmaking skills. Even more important is this shows Diamond's barrier-breaking mindset. Nothing can hold her back from reaching her potential and bringing women's basketball to a new level. This will open the door for other great women to advance our game even further."
The 24K Showcase is new to the Iverson Classic, hosting a full-length game featuring the nation's top basketball talents regardless of class year, and now, regardless of gender. The Iverson Classic is in its fourth year of hosting an elite All-American game for the top high school players in the country.
The 2020 Iverson Classic will be dedicated to the memory of Kobe and Gianna Bryant - who were both well on their way to taking women's basketball to unprecedented heights.
Johnson, a senior point guard at Neumann-Goretti High School, was named the 2019 Gatorade Pennsylvania Girls' Basketball Player of the Year after a season that included 28.1 points per game and a 54-point performance in the District 12 championship game last winter. She has been named the Philadelphia Catholic League Girls MVP in consecutive years, including this season.
Johnson maintained a 3.57 GPA in the classroom heading into her senior year. She has donated her time as a mentor for young children and has volunteered locally on behalf of the Christopher's Footprints Child Care Center. She is set to join the Scarlet Knights this summer for the foreign tour training trip to Spain before debuting on the court for the 2020-21 season.
She has been previously selected to the prestigious Jordan Brand Classic and was named as a nominee to the McDonald's All-American Game.
Follow Rutgers women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@RutgersWBB) for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersWBB). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter(@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), Snapchat (@RUAthletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
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Allen Iverson personally reached out to Johnson via FaceTime after a practice to invite her to break the barrier and participate in the All-Star showcase with 23 men from around the country. The 24K Showcase will take place on April 22 at 5 p.m. at the 76ers Fieldhouse Arena in Wilmington, Delaware. Tickets for the event can be secured here.
Allen Iverson FaceTimes Diamond Johnson and invites her to be the FIRST woman in history to integrate men's All American sports. She will compete at Iverson Classic's 24K Showcase! pic.twitter.com/wutmo1g2lv
— Allen Iverson Roundball Classic (@iversonclassic) March 2, 2020
"I've said it before, Diamond is one of the best players in the nation, period," said Rutgers head coach C. Vivian Stringer. "This again proves that she is a once-in-a-generation talent with elite shooting and playmaking skills. Even more important is this shows Diamond's barrier-breaking mindset. Nothing can hold her back from reaching her potential and bringing women's basketball to a new level. This will open the door for other great women to advance our game even further."
Thank u @alleniverson for recognizing that Diamond Johnson deserves to play at such an elite level. Basketball has no gender; if you're good, you're good. We're proud of Diamond for establishing herself as one of the greatest basketball players - not defined by gender. Thanks AI! https://t.co/CG2FAu3Usb
— C. Vivian Stringer (@cvivianstringer) March 2, 2020
The 24K Showcase is new to the Iverson Classic, hosting a full-length game featuring the nation's top basketball talents regardless of class year, and now, regardless of gender. The Iverson Classic is in its fourth year of hosting an elite All-American game for the top high school players in the country.
The 2020 Iverson Classic will be dedicated to the memory of Kobe and Gianna Bryant - who were both well on their way to taking women's basketball to unprecedented heights.
Johnson, a senior point guard at Neumann-Goretti High School, was named the 2019 Gatorade Pennsylvania Girls' Basketball Player of the Year after a season that included 28.1 points per game and a 54-point performance in the District 12 championship game last winter. She has been named the Philadelphia Catholic League Girls MVP in consecutive years, including this season.
Johnson maintained a 3.57 GPA in the classroom heading into her senior year. She has donated her time as a mentor for young children and has volunteered locally on behalf of the Christopher's Footprints Child Care Center. She is set to join the Scarlet Knights this summer for the foreign tour training trip to Spain before debuting on the court for the 2020-21 season.
She has been previously selected to the prestigious Jordan Brand Classic and was named as a nominee to the McDonald's All-American Game.
Welcome Diamond Johnson to the @iversonclassic 24K showcase game!!! The first time in history, a woman has integrated in a men's game at this level!!! pic.twitter.com/cbYIstmz45
— Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) March 2, 2020
Follow Rutgers women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@RutgersWBB) for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersWBB). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter(@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), Snapchat (@RUAthletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
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