Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame
Watching Thomas Johnson set up his man for a backdoor cut and a layup was a common occurrence in Mallory Gym from 1990-94. Thomas ran the floor in transition as good as any player ever to wear a Lynx basketball jersey. His ability to read defenses in Rhodes’ motion offense, combined with his range from behind the three-point line, made Thomas impossible to guard at times. Thomas Johnson was a scoring machine!
Having grown up on Charles Place and a stone’s throw from Mallory Gym, Thomas began honing his shooting touch in Mallory Gym at a young age. He was an outstanding scorer at Memphis University School, where he played for the legendary Hall of Fame coach Jerry Peters. Thomas was a four-year starter for the Lynx and is the 2nd leading scorer in Rhodes history, with 1831 points. He was named All College Athletic Conference (CAC) as a freshman and All Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) his sophomore through senior seasons. Thomas is the career SCAC leader in scoring average at 18.3 points per contest.
Rhodes had unprecedented success during Thomas’ career. The Lynx won the 1990-91 CAC title, and the 1991-92 and 1992-93 SCAC titles. During the 1991-92 season Thomas played a pivotal role in leading the Lynx to a 20-5 overall record and a nation-best 20-game winning streak. Before a packed crowd in Mallory Gym, Thomas helped lead Rhodes to an opening round NCAA tournament win against Virginia Wesleyan in 1993.
Thomas Johnson was basketball poetry in motion. He put constant pressure on Lynx opponents with his uncanny skill to penetrate on one possession, then spot up for a 3-pointer on the next possession. In recognition of the thrills he brought to countless fans in Mallory Gym, Rhodes is honored to induct THOMAS KIMBROUGH JOHNSON into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame this 21st day of October, 2011.
