Former UAB Star, "Squeaky" Johnson
Since UAB went to the Elite Eight in 1982, the Blazers deepest NCAA Tournament run was in 2004. And the leader of that team, in a sense, was one of the most exciting players of the last decade, Carldell “Squeaky” Johnson. Squeaky was never much of a scorer, but he was one of the best playmakers in basketball. The young Squeaky joined up with the Taylor brothers, Ronell and Donell, to make a successful three year tournament run that started with the memorable 2004 appearance.
It was back in 2004 when the Blazers made their mark on the national scene by upsetting top seeded Kentucky en route to the Sweet Sixteen. They were a little upstaged by their instate neighbors. UAB was not the only eight or nine seed to upset a number one seed in 2004. Alabama did it too…and they went a step further to the Elite Eight. I believe I called both of them and I have a bracket filed away somewhere to prove it.
But, in any event, Johnson was the catalyst of Coach Mike Anderson’s 40 minutes of hell and few players have ever made it work as well Squeaky. After his days at UAB were over, Squeaky headed to the D-League. He was the second round draft pick of the Austin Toros. He has been there ever since, and done quite well for himself. If you have not had the pleasure to watch Squeaky, he is still out there playing for Austin and he is worth watching.
Read the in-depth men’s basketball preview for this team
