Virginia’s Kymora Johnson’s father, Troy, is also a former college basketball player.
Recently, the No. 10 Cavaliers defeated No. 2 Iowa in a double-overtime thriller, 83-75, downing the Hawkeyes on their home court to reach the Sweet 16. Virginia overcame a nine-point second-half deficit to force overtime.
Junior Virginia guard Kymora Johnson, who led the team with 28 points, hit a key layup and six free throws in double OT to help the Hoos to the win and their first Sweet 16 appearance in 26 years.
The Cavaliers nwo become the only double-digit seed remaining as the tournament heads into its second weekend, and they’re the first team to make the Sweet 16 after playing in the First Four.
After a tight game throughout the first half, Iowa pulled away behind a massive third quarter, outscoring Virginia 25-11.
But the Cavaliers stayed in it, with Paris Clark scoring eight straight points in the fourth to single-handedly pull the team back within striking distance.
In the final minutes, Romi Levy pulled the Hoos back within three after a big 3-pointer, before Johnson knocked one in beyond the arc to tie the game at 57 all.
Kymora Johnson Always Supported Her In Achieving Her Basketball Dreams
Kymora Johnson was born to her father, Troy Johnson, and her mother, Jessica Thomas-Johnson.
As per her parents, Kymora started playing basketball at the age of three and joined the Cavaliers because she “wanted to compete” by the ages of five and six, and that was the only team available at the time.
Her father, Troy, also played basketball at a small HBCU. He was the one who introduced Kymora to basketball.
Troy also worked three different jobs, including a maintenance position at JPJ.
Johnson’s parents always attended Kymora’s games for as long as she could dribble a basketball.
Thomas was there in South Carolina in 2015 when Kymora’s travel team, the Charlottesville Cavaliers, was disqualified from a national tournament because of a rule infraction.
Kymora played in an otherwise all-boys tournament. The controversy, sparked by a miscommunication, drew national headlines.
Thomas was there for Kymora, publicly defending her daughter and her team. Kymora said,
“What I get from my mom is independence and leadership,” “I think some of the qualities that I bring on the court – and as a woman (in general) – she kind of fostered into me.”
When asked what kinds of sacrifices her parents made to help her take significant steps in her basketball career, before UVA, Kymora was a McDonald’s High School All-American at St.Anne’s Belfield. She responded,
“What sacrifices didn’t they make?”
Basketball Player Kymora Johnson Grew Up With Her Five Siblings
Kymora Johnson has five siblings: Kianna, Kennedy, Karlins, Kroy, and Karter Johnson.
As per the source, Kianna and Kennedy are from Kymora’s father, Troy’s, previous marriage.
Kymora has always had support from her siblings. Earlier, Kymora drove her brother, Kroy, to his travel basketball tournament in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Going long distances to show support is just part of the Johnson family tradition.
Earlier, the family group of Kymora blew up with news of her sister, Karlins “Tink” Johnson, making the Homecoming court at Charlottesville High School.
When Karlins asked for a volunteer to escort her onto the football field for the ceremony, her mother, Thomas-Johnson wrote,
“Kymora was first to reply,” “This kid is a junior in college,” “She could be doing a million things. But she not only helped Tink pick out her Homecoming dress, she was out there, on a Friday night, walking her on the field.”
