Keldon “Big Body” Johnson, was drafted 29th overall in the 2019 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs. The University of Kentucky alum has since been an integral part of Spurs culture. Johnson spent years as a focal point of the Spurs’ offense until recently when he took a reduced role as the team’s sixth man. With averages of 13 points and five rebounds per game, Keldon Johnson joined Manu Ginobili as the only Spurs player to win Sixth Man of the Year. However, no metric can quantify Johnson’s importance to the Spurs.
Few players in the league play with Johnson’s energy and tenacity. Despite only being 6-foot-6, he has earned his “Big Body” moniker by dominating larger players in the paint using brute force. His signature move is a downhill drive into the chest of whoever is in front of the basket. After initiating contact and scoring the ball, Johnson lets out his famous battle cry, which can be heard even in the loudest stadium.
Johnson’s impact on San Antonio basketball goes far beyond his court presence. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson has praised Keldon Johnson since taking over the lead job in place of Greg Popovich. Mitch Johnson even called Keldon Johnson, “the heart and soul of the team.” At only 27, Keldon Johnson has become the de facto leader on the court for the Spurs. When one of the rookies makes a slip, Keldon Johnson is there to mentor. During timeouts in close games, Keldon Johnson is the one delivering the speech to rally the troops, not Mitch Johnson.
While most young NBA players spend their salaries on mansions and sports cars, Keldon Johnson opted for a different lifestyle. Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, Keldon Johnson’s ranch is home to all kinds of farm animals. From goats to the now-famous duo of llamas, purchased with the bonus earned in the NBA cup, the ranch is just as lively as Keldon Johnson. The ranch is also home to many of his closest friends and family. The property serves as a sanctuary for him, his family and his livestock.
While it appears everything is finally going right for Keldon Johnson, he has struggled deeply over the season. Going into the season, his grandfather began a difficult battle with cancer. This kept his parents away for much of the season, which only exacerbated his grief. In an interview, Keldon Johnson said, “This has been one of the toughest years of my life.” Despite the circumstances, Keldon Johnson played all 82 games of the season off the bench. The Spurs finished with their best record in a decade, in large part due to his constant sacrifice.
The San Antonio Spurs owe a lot of their success to “Big Body.” On and off the court, he has led his teammates from the lottery to contender status. From the bottom of the draft to NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Keldon Johnson has earned his spot in the Spurs’ mythos.
