A Houston-area family has filed a lawsuit against a construction company saying their loved one, a personnel scout for the Houston Rockets, was killed while riding his bike in a “dangerously” unfinished section of a sidewalk. On Oct. 15, Brent “BJ” Johnson lost his life on the stretch of Almeda Parkway and Shadow Creek. He was loved by his family, friends and the NBA community and traveled the world as part of Basketball Without Borders, the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program.
NBA Rumor: BJ Johnson Death
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Bismack Biyombo: Rest easy my brother, I’ve been going to the BWB and I haven’t seen anyone so joyous as you and your wife! You gave us your time and your energy to develop kids in Africa! Thank you so very much my brother, may God open the door for you and welcome you in a better place ove you
Minnesota Timberwolves: A statement from @GerssonRosas :
Mario Chalmers: Man 2020 is for the birds man…..outside of my family “BJ” was one of the first folks to believe in me and push me to actually wanna make it to the NBA…..we use to joke all the time. Use to call him Robert Townsend lol….this was my guy…RIP B.J. ur legacy and spirit we will carry on….u will b missed 😢😢😢
Thaddeus Young: This is tough right here. One of the best in the business to ever do it. Always gave me great advice. Rest up my guy….
Garrett Temple: STILL CANT BELIEVE THIS. He gave me my shot in the league!!! Crying faceCrying face, nicest guy in the league.
Garrett Temple: Thoughts and prayers going out to the Johnson family. BJ was the nicest most engaging person I’ve ever come across in this league. His personality filled a room. He changed my life by giving a skinny kid from LSU a shot when no one else would. Thank you BJ, R.I.P King!!!!!
Matt Babcock: My dad had sent me this photo recently of him with a group of NBA scouts and personnel that we’ve been friends with forever. My dad is on the right directly behind BJ Johnson, who we just lost in a tragic bike accident. Life is precious. Rest In Peace.
Billy King: I first met B.J. Johnson in 1982 at UVA with Ralph Sampson. He remained a friend since that day. His basketball knowledge and love for the game was unmatched. Hard to believe he is gone. He will be missed. RIP B.J.
Marcus Morris: R.I.P BJ Johnson 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 great soul
Eddie Sefko: Terrible news about B.J. Johnson. Got to know him when I was covering the Rockets in the ’90s. Anytime we ran into each other, at the combine or somewhere on the road, we always caught up on each other’s life. Deepest condolences and well-wishes to his many friends and family.
Matt Babcock: I’m extremely saddened to hear about the passing of longtime Houston Rockets scout B.J. Johnson. I had known him since I was in high school. He was a good man and friend. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, B.J. pic.twitter.com/FalG9hlaxO
Donovan Mitchell: Wow man!! Rest In Peace Bj Johnson I’m praying for his entire family! A really good person who had seen it all 🙏🏾💯
John Lucas: BJ Johnson of our Rockets family passed tonight. A scout a father, a friend, always a uplifting spirit. 1986 he joined Rockets as a scout and has been in that role till now. I honor my friendship with him from when he lived next door to Ralph Sampson in Va. Your loved RIP HOSS!
Bobby Marks: In NJ, we worked extensively with the Rockets on putting together these 36 player draft workouts for all 30-teams. BJ Johnson was part of that Houston contingent. He made you laugh, put a smile on your face when there was some adversity and ultimately was just a great man. RIP
Rockets scout BJ Johnson dies in bike accident
Longtime Rockets personnel scout Brent “B.J.” Johnson, a well-known and popular fixture throughout basketball, died Thursday evening following a bicycle accident in Houston. Johnson was 65. “He was riding his bike and hit a culvert,” Johnson’s wife Claudette said. “There was construction. They are thinking he fell forward and broke his neck because there was no blood.”
Daryl Morey: Before I came to the @Houston Rockets Chris Wallace told me the greatest scout in the NBA was BJ Johnson & I should talk to him first. I followed his advice & what followed was an amazing 14 yr friendship. He was by my side for every key decision. I cant believe he is gone. RIP BJ
Jamal Crawford: Nooooooo not BJ Johnson. When I was an unproven rookie, he helped give me a lot of confidence that I had a bright future, even when I didn’t see it.. I wasn’t even on his team. He always had some words of encouragement, or just kept it real with me. Prayers to his family
Danuel House: 😢 😢
Vince Edwards: Damn man, prayers to his family and loved ones! RIP BJ 😔
Trae Young: Wow. My heart hurts. R.I.P BJ Johnson.😞
Trae Young: Wake me up in 2021. Goodnight.
Marc J. Spears: I’m stunned. Absolutely stunned. First Vaughn McClure and now BJ Johnson. BJ was one of the most generous, caring and humorous people I ever met with one of the greatest basketball IQs to boot. My prayers and condolences to his wife and his children.
Tim MacMahon: Stunned and saddened about longtime Rockets scout BJ Johnson’s death. You won’t find a friendlier person in the NBA. So many players and scouts credited Johnson for helping them find their way in the league.
September 28, 2021 | 5:08 am EDT Update
Tension growing against unvaccinated players
Though roughly 90% of NBA players are vaccinated as training camp approaches Tuesday, tension exists between those around the league mandated to be vaccinated and the nearly 40 unvaccinated players, league sources told ESPN.
One general manager told ESPN that the issue of tension between those who are mandated to be vaccinated and those who aren’t “‘just speaks to selfishness run amok. But the NBA is comprised of human beings and we are seeing the same thing in the public at large.”
In some instances, vaccinated staffers say they’re concerned about the health risks of being exposed to unvaccinated players. In others, staffers say they’re upset that players aren’t facing the same vaccine requirements as most team staff and referees. In still others, there’s animosity toward the league itself for not imposing such a mandate.
One vaccinated Western Conference strength and conditioning coach said they’re concerned about a potential breakthrough case that could affect family members. “For me, it’s a problem because my parents are very sick, and I’m in close contact with these guys and I would hate to bring this home and my parents pass away from it,” the coach told ESPN.
Health and safety protocols for vaccinated and unvaccinated players have not yet been finalized, league sources said. But it’s expected, as ESPN previously reported, that unvaccinated players will face more testing and be asked to sit in separate areas of team meetings, team meals, locker rooms, on the team plane and bus.
But a second league source also tied to training staffs noted that many peers “believe the league is prioritizing the athletes’ lives over their own. On the opposite side, some members don’t want to force anyone to vaccinate if they feel uncomfortable with it, but it should be a standard set across the board instead of the league one way and the players the other.”
NBA insiders say they’re not aware of any games being missed because of a reaction to the vaccine. Beal, though, did miss time. His case of COVID cost him a spot in the Olympics and the chance to compete for a gold medal.
