Chico State women's basketball player Lauren Johnson – LJ to her team and friends – is one of five children to Sargent Jennifer Masters of the United States Air Force. Johnson is the middle child and sister to four brothers: Brandon 24, Tyler 23, Logan 16, and Gabe 11. Masters and her five kids are a tight-knit bunch, and support each other in their individual passions.
The community of families living on the military base where she grew up magnified the support of Johnson's own family. The kids were never indoors. They played games like manhunt and olly-olly-oxen-free with the rest of the children on base. The siblings would spend a lot of their time with their neighbors when their mother was deployed, but things were very different when she was home.
"She always made it to every one of our games, events, musicals, plays, sporting events, she was always there," says Johnson.
Yes, even musicals. The Johnson family has many talents and interests that are all encouraged by their mother. Every child participated in choir growing up and Johnson still enjoys singing. Her oldest brother is a musician, her youngest brother enjoys theatre, another brother plays professional basketball, and everyone has his or her favorite sport. Even now that half of her children have moved out, Masters still manages to be ten places at once. If she cannot make one of her games, Johnson knows her mother will be watching online.
Masters, Johnson's mother, loves of making t-shirts to show support as a family. There were around 60 people with shirts that said "LJ Night" for Johnson's senior night game in high school. For Tyler's senior night at Fresno State, an entire section wore red t-shirts that said "Tyler Johnson #1". They made summer league t-shirts for Tyler, and there is a new shirt each time his number changes. On a family trip to Disneyland for the 4th of July, the siblings and mother had matching t-shirts and American flag bandanas. You could say that Masters likes to lead a unit.
Her mother supports the children in their passions. Masters also fosters good habits one would expect of a military parent, like clean rooms and timeliness. Turning homework in on time and having pride in your work is one of the lessons Johnson took from her childhood.
"Sometimes I'll be in my room when it's dirty and can't focus on anything else and have to clean it right away. My mom would be so proud to hear that," Johnson said.
She learned how to be tough from her four brothers. All the love from them makes her a stronger person today. She considers them a backbone of support and loves every minute of being the only sister. Johnson and her brothers go crazy for each other. They may fight sometimes, but when it comes to support, the family doesn't hold back, whether that is going to a play, or listening to her oldest brother's music. This past month her younger brother played in a basketball tournament in Gridley. Johnson and two Wildcat teammates went down to cheer him and his team on.
"Before the ball was even tipped, I was screaming, 'That's my brother!' from the sideline," she said.
Her older brother Tyler, who currently plays for the Miami Heat, influenced her love of basketball the most. They are both left-handed and have similar playing styles. Even their nicknames, TJ and LJ, are alike. He made it look fun and encouraged her to be the best player she can while sharing and fostering her love of the game.
The family always knew Tyler wanted to be a professional basketball player. There was something different when he spoke about his dream. He was more determined than most young boys who say they want to be in the NBA. Tyler played college ball at Fresno State. He was not chosen in the draft. But he persevered, with his family behind him, choosing the next possible route to get him to the NBA.
The night came when Tyler had to choose whether he would be going overseas to play professional basketball. The family was together at home, and Tyler's phone rang. It was his agent. He stepped outside, came back in, looked at the family and said, "I'm going to be on the Miami Heat." The screams of excitement ensued.
Everyone will fly out to Miami this year to share the holiday with Tyler and watch him in the Christmas game. And in true Johnson family style, they will be wearing matching outfits of converse, pants, and Johnson jerseys so everyone will know who they are there to cheer for.
"It's a dream come true, and like a present to watch my brother," said Johnson.
Johnson believes that her brother's professional success is a testament to her family's resilience and ability to persevere. The way Tyler got to the Miami Heat was not typical, but neither he, nor his family gave up on the dream. Most families probably would put themselves through such a journey of trying so many different routes, but they stuck together until that phone call finally came.
Having a single mom helped Johnson and her brothers become closer and stronger as a family. But the part she cherishes the most is that everyone has their unique characteristic that makes them different from the others. Her mother is in the military, her brothers are musicians, actors, athletes and she likes to sing and go on hikes. Everyone has their own thing, but they always stay connected.
"We are a crazy bunch."
