At least last week brought some good news for the University of
Alabama’s athletic department.
Krystle Johnson, previously a member of the UCLA women’s
basketball team, has transferred to Alabama and will join the
Crimson Tide team in the fall, Alabama announced Tuesday.
“She had that balance between academics and athletics that
we like, but I think she feels like she would make a better impact
somewhere else,” UCLA women’s basketball head coach
Kathy Olivier said.
Johnson’s career high in playing time at UCLA was only 16
minutes. A member of the Bruin bench, she is listed as a forward on
UCLA’s roster but played mostly center. This season, she
averaged six minutes a game, with 1.6 points and 1.1 rebounds.
Olivier also discussed the possibility that Johnson wanted to be
closer to her home in Hoover, Ala.
She might also feel more comfortable in the Southeastern
Conference, of which Alabama is a member. The league is known for
its emphasis on physical play, whereas the Pac-10 is known for its
speed. At 6-feet, 4-inches and over 250 pounds, Johnson logically
fits into the former.
“Krystle definitely helps fill a need for our team,”
said Alabama head coach Rick Moody. “In the SEC, we need
players that can provide us a physical presence in the paint, and
she is that type of player.”
The Tuscaloosa News reported that Johnson has signed scholarship
papers at Alabama. According to the UCLA Athletic Department,
however, Alabama has not contacted UCLA for Johnson’s
transcripts, which would affirm her eligibility and is viewed as
the last official step in a transfer process.
Because she was on scholarship, Johnson’s departure has
now created an open scholarship spot for the Bruins. It will not
automatically go to an incoming freshman already signed to UCLA,
but instead will most likely go toward next year’s recruiting
process.
But, Olivier added, if the right person comes along for the
upcoming season, she is “open to looking into the
possibility” of granting the scholarship before next
fall.
“Anytime someone leaves, it’s sad,” Olivier
said. “I think we have a close group, and they work hard for
each other. And that’s what we stand for.”