By Brad Byrne ('23)
GoMason.com Staff Writer

The biggest moment of Xavier Johnson's young basketball career came Tuesday night under the bright lights of EagleBank Arena, where he played a pivotal role in the Patriots' 68-55 victory over Navy.
 
Johnson, who hails from Germantown, Md., is fresh off a stellar senior season at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, making the finals of the VISAA Tournament in 2019. As a competitor of the Interstate Athletic Conference, Johnson led Episcopal to a 2016 conference title and a Virginia Independent School state championship as a freshman. Johnson also was named as a two-time first team all state and three-time first team All-IAC selection. In high school, he received attention from the Washington Post, being named second-team All-Metro in 2019.
 
For Xavier, the journey to college was simpler than most, considering Episcopal High is a boarding school.
 
 "It was an easier transition for me because I'm already used to living by myself," Johnson said. "It's all about time management."
 
He is thrilled with his decision to attend George Mason and is enjoying the experience of playing for Coach Paulsen and growing alongside his teammates.
 
"I like the atmosphere of our team - it feels like they're my second family." Johnson said.
 
Johnson is following in the footsteps of his parents, Kelvin and Mary, who both played college basketball. Kelvin competed for the University of Richmond from 1981-1985 and Mary played for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
 
Johnson has valued their influence in his life since he was a child.
 
"They've always been in my corner no matter what, for as long as I can remember," Johnson said. "They have helped shape me into who I am today."
 
For his father, Kelvin, the process of introducing Xavier to the game was seamless.
 
"It was pretty easy for us, we just put the basketball in his hands at a young age and let him do the rest," he said.
 
Xavier's basketball career also has been mentored by current UCF head coach and former Duke star Johnny Dawkins, who has been friends with Kelvin since the duo was 10 years old.
 
Dawkins is Xavier's godfather and was best man at Kelvin's wedding.
 
"Johnny has helped influenced Xavier in basketball by always giving him a different perspective as a coach," Kelvin Johnson said. "He gives him direction and gives him tips that he will be able to use at the highest level."
 
Kelvin Johnson is extremely proud of his son for all he's accomplished in his career thus far.
 
"I love that he's continuing basketball in college. It's a great opportunity to teach teamwork and gives you a lot of life lessons," Kelvin said.
 
He has certainly grown up quickly as he's developed into a Division I college basketball player. Kelvin recalls when Xavier was young, he was so skinny his uniform used to hang off of him. That is no longer a problem, as the 6-1, 182-pound point guard has a college-ready body that is already reaping dividends on the court.
 
On Tuesday night, Xavier dazzled with 15 points (5-7 FG), four assists, four rebounds and a pair of steals in 30 minutes of action. It marked the highest point total by a Mason freshman in his debut since the great George Evans tallied 15 points nearly 22 years ago versus Howard in November 1997.
 
Kelvin knew his son was ready to be an impact college freshman when he was just a high school freshman. He made three big free throws to ice a game that season, and that mental fortitude helped carry Xavier to what looks to be a very bright future for the George Mason Patriots.
 
"I've always known he was going to be able to play at the highest level, and those free throws proved it for me," Kelvin said.