Show Notes

EP93: THE MAKING (and re-making) OF LARRY JOHNSON with JD Mayo, LJ’s former Head Basketball Coach at Dallas Skyline High School

About the Guest

JD Mayo: JD Mayo is a legendary Texas high school basketball coach with a remarkable career that spans decades. Having played a significant role in shaping the lives of many young athletes, Coach Mayo is best known for his mentorship of former NBA star Larry Johnson during Johnson’s high school years at Skyline High School. Beyond his coaching accolades, Mayo is celebrated for his holistic approach to player development, emphasizing character, academics, and life skills alongside basketball prowess.

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Becoming UnDone docuseries, titled “The Making (and re-making) of Larry Johnson,” host Toby Brooks embarks on an engaging journey to uncover the origin story of basketball legend Larry Johnson. This episode weaves through a nostalgic tapestry of memories from Brooks’ own childhood, starting with a vivid bus ride in rural Illinois filled with early hip-hop influences, and leading into the inspiring tale of Larry Johnson’s rise from the challenging environment of the Dixon Circle housing projects in Dallas.

Brooks converses with the influential figure in Johnson’s life, Coach JD Mayo. Together, they delve into how Johnson’s early experiences and the support of his mother, Dorothea, shaped his career. Through engaging storytelling and rich details, they explore Johnson’s transition from high school to junior college, touching on moments of failure, resilience, and ultimately triumph. This episode provides deep insights into Johnson’s growth as a player and a person, emphasizing themes of encouragement, mentorship, and the impact of community in sports.

Key Takeaways:

• The Early Years: Larry Johnson’s upbringing in the challenging environment of Dixon Circle projects, and how his passion for basketball provided an escape.

• The Role of Mentorship: Coach JD Mayo’s significant influence on Johnson, emphasizing discipline, humility, and teamwork.

• Path to Success: The pivotal moments leading up to Johnson’s transfer to Skyline High School, facilitated by his mother, Dorothea’s strategic decisions.

• Adversity and Resilience: Johnson’s journey from the disappointment at SMU to his successful tenure at Odessa College, highlighting his perseverance.

• Lifelong Impact: The enduring relationship between Coach Mayo and Larry Johnson, emphasizing the lasting impact of positive mentorship.

Notable Quotes:

• JD Mayo: “Coaches receive accolades because of those players. When the players do what you ask them to do, we call that execution.”

• Toby Brooks: “It wasn’t just something LL said within the confines of the now classic lyrics. It was actually something that was said to him to inspire him to press on.”

• JD Mayo: “She called him Dee Dee. His middle name’s Demetrius. He said, ‘Dee Dee, I don’t know this man, and you don’t either. But he’s going to help you to be a better man, better student, and better player.'”

• Larry Johnson: “I refused to blame anyone for our circumstances. My mindset was, if you want something, practice.”

• JD Mayo: “The good book says you love them. Forgive them, pray for them, then bless them. Now, who can do that? It takes something real special in your heart and mind.”

Resources:

Stay tuned for the next episode, where Toby Brooks continues to explore the making of Larry Johnson, featuring interviews and discussions that offer a deep dive into the societal impacts of early 90s NBA stars. Don’t miss out on these engaging stories and insights – listen and subscribe to the Becoming Undone podcast on your favorite platforms.