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Johnson Talks Dream Come True With Gottlieb

LOS ANGELES – Brice Johnson stayed in the moment on draft night. The day after realizing his NBA dream, the magnitude of the moment finally set in.

Johnson, whose mother passed away when he was a teenager, said on “The Doug Gottlieb Show” on CBS Sports Radio he had time to reflect on getting selected No. 25 overall by the Clippers the morning after the draft, at which point the emotions hit him.

“I did tear up there a little bit, because I wish she was here to see it,” Johnson said. “So, it was very emotional the next day. Other than that, I was in the moment after the draft, after being picked, walking across the stage.”

Johnson made the media rounds Wednesday, appearing with Gottlieb for CBS Sports Radio and with Jay Mohr for FOX Sports Radio, talking to Mohr about a variety of subjects, including the music he listens to (it’s a wide range, from Nick Jonas to Future and Lupe Fiasco).

With Gottlieb, Johnson talked about draft night, what it means to go to the Clippers and keeping on weight at the next level.

“It’s just about the way we played at North Carolina, it was hard to keep it on,” Johnson said. “We played up and down, so we practiced up and down. We did a lot of running, so that’s the only reason I was not able to keep my weight up. Other than that, I was able to play at 220 my junior year…It’s not hard to do. I’ve just got to get back up there and keep it.”

Johnson’s currently in Orlando with the Clippers’ Summer League team and said he’s yet to arrive in Los Angeles. He said once that happens, the reality of being in the NBA will feel much more real.

“It’s always been a dream to make it this far,” Johnson said. “I’m glad to be a Clipper.”

That came after an unpredictable first round, which featured plenty of teams grabbing international standouts. Johnson said the whole experience “was a head scratcher,” as he watched players he hadn’t even heard of before go before him.

“It was like, ‘Wow, I didn’t even know these guys were in the draft,’” Johnson said. “But, it is what it is. I’m happy to be in L.A. and be with the Clippers.”

And, he’s particularly happy to be with a talented team, featuring three stars in Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

“I know they like to win, and that’s what I want to do,” Johnson said. “Looking forward to that, definitely looking forward to catching lobs from CP and just playing along with Blake and DeAndre and just being able to get to know those guys and be able to help them out down low. I’m looking forward to the whole experience.”