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It’s official! Nazareth’s Johnson signs with Virginia Commonwealth

It’s official! Nazareth’s Johnson signs with Virginia Commonwealth
Niya Johnson / Nazareth

Nazareth senior guard Niya Johnson was beaming from ear to ear.

She couldn’t contain her happiness as she signed a letter of intent to play women’s basketball at Virginia Commonwealth University in front of the entire school on Nov. 12. Johnson, who chose the Rams over Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, and LaSalle, soaked in her “big moment” as she was cheered for during the signing.

“I was really so happy,” Johnson said. “I was shaking the whole time at the signing because the moment felt so amazing.”

The 5-foot-10 Johnson has been psyched since her September visit to Commonwealth. She felt comfortable with the coaching staff and players, loved they way they communicated, and fell in love with the city of Richmond in general, she said.

Ultimately, the energy and enthusiasm the team displayed in the weight room grabbed her attention.

“It caught me right way,” Johnson said. “I was smiling. When I went in there and cheered with them when they were working out, it was just amazing.”

The experience motivated her to better prepare for her senior season and beyond. Johnson was already making good on her promise to improve her conditioning after feeling she wasn’t at her best late in games last season. She began doing Cross Fit training three times a week and basketball workouts twice daily.

She sprained her medial collateral ligament but hopes to be back on the court by mid-December. And when she returns, Nazareth will regain one of the city’s best scoring guards.

She has already reached the 1,000-point mark after three seasons. Johnson tallied 25 points in a win over Cardinal Spellman in the Catholic High School Athletic Association Class A semifinals on her way to leading Nazareth to the state Federation Class A crown last season.

Meantime, she has been watching clips of the Rams games with her parents.

“I was like, ‘Guys look. This is my team. This is my school. This is where I am going.’” Johnson said. “I’m so happy and energetic.”