Jersey retirement ceremony is set for Monday, February 19th inside Brayboy Gym
Charlotte, NC – Johnson C. Smith University Athletics will retire the basketball jerseys of Dante Johnson and Angela Hamilton to honor their historic playing career at JCSU. The ceremony will take place on Monday, February 21, 2011 inside Brayboy Gymnasium. That same night, J.C. Smith will face St. Augustine's College; women's game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and the men's game will tip at 7:30 p.m.
Dante Johnson came to Johnson C. Smith from Scotts' Branch High School in Summerton, South Carolina in 1983. Johnson is a native of Summerton, SC standing at a height of 6'6 and a playing weight of 180-185 lbs. In his four years (1983-87) at J.C. Smith, Johnson scored 2,012 points and grabbed 1,130 rebounds. He is 4th all-time in scoring and holds the school record for best field goal percentage in a single season (68%).
Nicknamed “The Franchise,” Johnson played in 115 games, averaging 17.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. He was selected to the All-CIAA and All-Tournament teams on three occasions (1985-87). In his junior season, Johnson led the team averaging 18.3 ppg and was 22nd in the nation in field goal percentage (59.5%). He had career-highs of 38 points and 25 rebounds. Johnson completed his degree in Communications in 1987.
Johnson joins Fred “Curly” Neal (1959-63),
Mark Sherrill (1988-92), and Columbus Parker (1989-93) as the fourth Golden Bulls to have their jersey retired.
Angela Hamilton entered JCSU as a freshman from Rutherfordton, North Carolina in 1985. Hamilton played at Rutherfordton-Spindale High School prior to becoming a Golden Bull. She had a stellar career as a 5'10 forward for JCSU. In her four years (1985-89), Hamilton scored 1,852 points and pulled down 1,223 rebounds; she is 1st all-time in both categories at J.C. Smith. She also holds the record for most field goals made (career) with 742.
Affectionately known as “Ang”, Hamilton played in 105 games, averaging 17.6 points and 11.6 rebounds per contest. She is a two-time CIAA All-Tournament selection (1987, 1989) and three-time All-CIAA selection (1987-89). Hamilton earned 1st-team All American honors from the Black College Sports Information Directors Association (BCSIDA) in 1988. She shot 49% (742-1512) from the field and 66% (367-556) from the free throw line for her career.
Hamilton follows former teammate Kim Brewington (1987-90) and Konecka Drakeford (1996-98) as the only Golden Bulls to have their jerseys retired from the women's basketball program.
“Both these players have made a tremendous contribution to their respective athletic programs and the University as a whole,” said JCSU Director of Athletics
Stephen Joyner, Sr. “Dante was a solid all-around ball player with great court awareness and discipline. I coached Angela her first two years here at JCSU and she had a great motor and strong desire to win. She performed on both ends of the court, and not in a selfish manner but with the mindset of doing what it takes to win the game. More importantly, as great as these two were as players, they're even better people…this is a recognition well deserved.”
JCSU will challenge St. Augustine's College on Monday, February 21st in the last home game of the 2010-11 season. Game time is slated for 5:30 p.m. (women) and 7:30 p.m.). The ceremony will take place in between games. Both recipients will be in attendance.
