Four years ago, Mickey Johnson was unsure if she’d even get the chance to play college basketball.

Now, the senior center enters her final games as one of the most elite players to wear the red and black.

Coming into this season, two things were uncertain: Who would start, and how would a young Huskie team do. However, one thing was for sure — Johnson would play a big part in how the team progressed.

As she entered this season, Johnson was on the brink of many milestones. She needed 211 points to become a member of the 1,000-point club, 21 blocks to reach 100 and 173 rebounds to join NIU’s all-time top 10 list.

The 6-foot-1-inch center has accomplished all of these feats this season and has played stellarly for the Huskies, as they continue their way up the standings in the Mid-American Conference. Johnson scored her 1,000th point in the team’s 67-51 victory over Central Michigan on Jan. 27. After the game, Johnson held a sign with the number 1,000 on it. Her 100th career block came one week earlier, as she had 2 blocks against Miami (Ohio) on Jan. 20.

Johnson, who will graduate in May 2002, came into this season as one of only two seniors in the lineup, with the other being Kim Moore. However, Moore sat out most of the season with an injury, leaving Johnson as the lone senior on the squad.

The Huskies knew they would have a young, talented team, but they have thus far exceeded any expectations, finishing 14-15 and 10-6 in the MAC. Last season, Johnson and her teammates endured a 6-22 record, going only 5-11in the MAC. But Johnson wasn’t worried about playing with such young players.

“It’s pretty much the same for me right now as it was my senior year in high school,” Johnson said. “I was playing with freshmen and sophomores, so this isn’t really a big adjustment for me.”

Johnson, despite not being a team captain, displays leadership to all the players, especially freshman standout Jennifer Youngblood.

Johnson and Youngblood have each played the post very well for the Huskies. They express a similarity to the relationship between Minnesota Vikings’ Cris Carter and Randy Moss. Youngblood and Moss would have both succeeded on their own but having an experienced leader guiding them helps to make the

adjustment process easier.

“Mickey has probably taught me everything about playing the post,” Youngblood said. “Especially the post defense, she’s helped a lot because that was brand new to everyone. The defense is definitely what she’s helped me with the most. On offense, just by watching her, I learn. She shows us what to do in certain situations.”

Despite not playing in the post, guard Lindsay Secrest still believes Johnson has been a great leader of this team.

“Even though she’s not considered a team captain, Mickey does a lot,” Secrest said. “She can really take over a game. We can be down, and Mickey will start talking and really working hard on the defense, and it will get us all fired up.”

Johnson has enjoyed success at NIU. This season her numbers have been lower, but with Youngblood joining her in the post, she doesn’t have to score as many as she used to. Johnson is averaging 11.8 points this season, along with 6.4 rebounds. Last season she posted 13.9 points a game and 8.6 rebounds. However, this season she had a career-high 40 blocks and is part of the best NIU team since 1994-95.

In her three years as NIU coach, Carol Hammerle has been a big supporter of Mickey and has seen improvement in each of her last three seasons.

“I think she has taken tremendous strides on and off the court,” Hammerle said. “I’m extremely proud of her and what she’s accomplished as a student athlete. There is not a post player in the MAC that can stop her except herself, so I think she’s made significant strides.”

Johnson came to NIU four years ago, not knowing what to expect in life or basketball, but her years here have brought many relationships that have all brought significance to her life.

“Everyone I’ve met has had an impact on me because everyone teaches you something different,” Johnson said.