William C. Johnson

William "Skinny" Johnson's amazing jumping ability and all-around basketball skill made him a scholastic and amateur star. First noticed at Central High School in Oklahoma City, the rail-thin, 6-foot-4-inch Johnson was celebrated for his ability to gain control of the jump ball after every basket, a rule that was later eliminated in 1937. Chosen a scholastic All-America at the National Interscholastic Basketball Tournament held in Chicago in 1929, Johnson was a three-year starter at the University of Kansas under Hall of Fame coach Phog Allen. The athletically gifted player led the Jayhawks to a 41-12 record and three Big Six Conference titles. After college, Johnson starred in the Amateur Athletic Union and was a Second Team AAU All-America selection in 1934. As leading scorer of Southern Kansas State Line, he led his team to the Missouri Valley AAU Conference title and third place in the National AAU Tournament in 1934.