NEW ORLEANS, La. - LSU New Orleans men's basketball announced the addition of alumni and 13-year NBA veteran Ervin Johnson to Stacy Hollowell's staff as an assistant coach. Johnson played for the Privateers from 1989-1993 and was the 23rd overall pick in the NBA Draft that year. His successful career included stints with the Seattle Supersonics, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks. Johnson said getting this opportunity to coach at his alma mater is surreal. "I never saw this coming. It was so surprising to me, I just had to pinch myself a few times to see if this was really happening," Johnson said. "I am so happy that I can do it from a different position. Instead of as a player, I can do it as a coach. As a mentor. As a father, as a role model. Whatever it takes to help these young men be successful on the basketball court is the most important thing to me." “Ervin Johnson’s story is one that has inspired me since I was a kid," Hollowell said. "During his time at the University of New Orleans, he inspired so many other New Orleanians as well. He wasn't always the most talented player on the floor, but his determination and his refusal to be outworked helped turn him into an NBA player who would go on to have an impressive 13-year career. To now have the opportunity to bring someone I admired growing up onto our staff is incredibly special. I'm excited about what Ervin will bring to our program but even more excited about the example he will set for our student-athletes. There are few people better qualified to teach them what it takes to chase a dream and make it a reality.” New Orleans retired Johnson's No. 40 in 1997 – the first men’s basketball number retired in program history.
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