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Jarvis Johnson Had A Heart Attack In 8th Grade, Now He's A Promising Point Guard

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Next year, Jarvis Johnson will join the Gophers basketball team as the first local high school recruit under coach Richard Pitino.

Johnson hails from DeLaSalle High School and will join the team as a point guard. And while he's had some health hurdles in his life, he's also had some good teachers.

His sister, Tyseanna, starred at DeLaSalle and is now starring at Iowa State.

"She's been there every step of the way," Johnson said, "and I'm still looking up to her."

He's also played on the Howard Pulley summer all-star team, and he's become the top point guard in the state, helping lead DeLaSalle to their last two state titles.

"He brings so much to the table as a point guard," DeLaSalle basketball coach Dave Thorson said. "He's a leader on the floor, he's vocal and communicates, and he plays both ends. That's exactly what you want in a player that leads your team."

And, oh yeah, Johnson's also a heart attack survivor.

The healthy-looking athlete collapsed during a game in 8th grade, and he almost didn't come back.

"I can recall waking up in the hospital, you know, and my grandma telling me, 'Jarvis, you died,'" he said. "And just hearing that was so devastating, because that's not something a kid, a 14-year-old, hears every day."

His heart condition has been corrected, and next season he will play for his local team.

He says the Gopher program suits his style.

"I think he couldn't have made a better college choice than the University of Minnesota," Thorson said.

The only thing left for Johnson, before he makes Williams Arena is home, is another stop at Target Center and chance to lead DeLaSalle to its fourth-straight state title.

That accomplishment has only been achieved by Minneapolis Patrick Henry High School.

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