Wildcats’ D.J. Johnson makes long road back after two surgeries

It was just a couple of weeks ago, on the verge of completing one monster of a comeback, that Kansas State forward D.J. Johnson ended up in a place he didn’t want to be.

Another setback with a broken foot that sidelined him since an NCAA Tournament loss to Kentucky on March 21, 2014. Another setback on a road to recovery that seemed like it would never end, including two surgeries. It was enough for Johnson to question his future, and he wondered if he was ever going to play again.

Johnson was low. K-State coach Bruce Weber was there to bring him back up.

“He had started coming back and then we had to pull him from practice because he had some soreness,” Weber said. “I think he was worried. Some of it was mental, and some of it was physical. I said ‘You owe it to yourself, you have come so far and worked so hard and been so patient. You have to give it a shot.’”

Friday marked Johnson’s return to game action for the first time in 16 months, logging five points and six rebounds off the bench in an 80-53 win over Maryland-Eastern Shore in the season opener.

The 6-foot-9 St. Louis native received a large ovation from the crowd when he came into the came with 15:39 remaining, and rewarded the fans by converting a three-point play on his first offensive possession and a steal on his first defensive possession.

And the response to his return wasn’t lost on him.

“There was just chills, I was glad to be back,” Johnson said. “It has been a long road, and I am just glad I got blessed with the opportunity to see the floor again.”

Or lost on his teammates.

“For us, we all know what he’s been through to get back,” K-State guard Wesley Iwundu said. “It did mean a lot to see him back out there.”

With Johnson the biggest question remaining seems to be how much of a workload he can handle. He joked with Weber after Friday’s win about playing more minutes.

“I have not been out there in awhile,” Johnson said. “It was good to get back out on the floor, especially with guys that mean a lot to you and a great coaching staff. It felt good.”

This story was originally published November 15, 2015 at 10:18 PM with the headline "Wildcats’ D.J. Johnson makes long road back after two surgeries."