Illinois State’s Johnny Basketball

All-Star Guard Johnny Kinziger

(St. Louis, MO) – When you have nicknames like Johnny Basketball and Johnny Buckets and Johnny Winziger people expect big performances every game. Illinois State’s Johnny Kinziger is keeping a level head in the midst of the hype surrounding his game.

The 5’11 guard was named to last season’s Missouri Valley Conference all-freshman and all-bench teams and is taking his game up a level this year. After averaging nearly nine points per game last season, he’s averaging 13 and his rebounding and assist numbers are well ahead of last season.

Illinois State has won two of its first three games, with the lone defeat being a disappointing two-point, opening night loss. Kinziger scored 20 points in the home defeat and his entire team feels like that is a game they shouldn’t have lost. The Redbirds host Trinity Christian (sub-division 1) on Sunday before heading to the US Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam.

Illinois State finished last season with a record of 15 and 17 and Kinziger and his teammates believe better things are in store for this year’s team. Coach Ryan Pedon addressed the team’s shooting deficiencies in recruiting. Young developing players like Kinziger, Ty Pence and Chase Walker have this team heading in the right direction.

Kinziger sees a growing maturity on this year’s team and says he’s pumped about participating in the Paradise Jam.

Changing Redbird Uniforms

Johnny Basketball played for the De Pere Redbirds (Wisconsin) in high school where he won a State Championship. De Pere’s all-time leading scorer led his team to a perfect 30-0 senior season record. As his family’s middle son, he played varsity basketball with his older brother Jake and his younger brother Zach.

Playing high school basketball and all the experiences with his friends and brothers are some of the happiest times of his life. Brother Zach is a senior and has signed to play with Wisconsin next year.

Kinziger chose Illinois State over several other Division 1 offers. He had an instant  connection with the ILS coaching staff. Pedon impressed the young guard with his honesty and values. He continues to be impressed by Pedon’s attention to detail, hard work and ‘grittyness’.

His freshman season was a growing experience. After almost never losing a game in high school, the all-state star had to learn the nuances of winning games at the D1 level. Kinziger says he learned a great deal from teammate Dalton Banks.

Sophomore Season for Johnny Basketball 

Kinziger is an MVC preseason all-conference player and is the ‘playing face’ of the Redbird program. While he is focused on the the hard work of winning games, he, like many other college athletes must be aware of and participate in NIL opportunities. His instagram handle Johnny.Kinziger sports a ‘merch’ button. These new realities are now a part of the college athlete experience.

He intelligently discusses ‘your name’ and ‘your brand’. I asked him about his choice of the number 11 after wearing number 1 in high school.

 

While saying this year’s team has to be tougher than last year’s squad, I asked about his favorite Valley arenas and his favorite collegiate playing moment. Not surprisingly, that moment was a game-winning shot against Missouri State.

 

The sophomores are having big impact on this year’s team. Pence shares the scoring leadership with Johnny Basketball and Walker leads the team in rebounds. Four Redbirds are double digit scorers and the Redbirds are ‘light’s out’ from the free throw line.

Kinziger says he’s trying to become a better and more consistent leader.

Head to YouTube to watch our entire interview or sprint to Valley Hoops Insider Podcasts to listen.

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo of Johnny Kinziger courtesy of goredbirds.com.