written by: Dan Davis
Sports Mechanix is proud to announce Britton Johnsen as their Head Basketball Trainer for the 2011 camp season. A long time favorite of Utah fans across the state, Britton proved himself as an elite college basketball player while playing at the University of Utah with basketball greats Michael Doleac, Andre Miller, and Hanno Mottola. Johnsen’s first year as a Ute proved to be a success as the team reach the Final Four to face a tough North Carolina Tar heel team which included now NBA star Vince Carter. Johnson and the Utes withstood the Tar heels to make it to the NCAA Championship game for the first time since 1944. Though they fell short of the title following their loss to Kentucky, Utah fans will always remember that ‘fever pitch’ season with so many remarkable moments.
Following significant playing time as a freshman during the title run, Johnsen took two years off to serve an LDS Church mission. Upon returning from his mission, Johnsen immediately became a star, winning the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year Award as a junior and leading the team to one successful season after another upon graduating in 2003.
Johnsen continued his playing career in the NBA while playing Small Forward for the Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers. Johnson also had several stints in the NBA D-League for the Bakersfield Jam, Fayetteville Patriots, and eventually the Utah Flash in 2008. “Britton is a consummate pro and gives us somebody who knows how to play, is long and can shoot on the wing. We believe he is a perfect fit for what we are trying to do,” said Flash General Manager David Fredman. Johnson has also played professionally Spain, Greece, and France and has now decided to settle here in Utah with his wife and kids.
Now that Johnsen’s professional career has come to an end, his life ambition is to pass his basketball knowledge on to the youth athletes across the state. With his dynamic teaching ability, many athletes have already seen great success following their training sessions with Johnsen. Sports Mechanix looks forward to a successful 2011 basketball camp season with Britton Johnsen at the helm.
To see a list of out basketball camps, please visit sportsmechanix.com or our basketball camps page.
