Johnny Hughes, a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina and FTCC alum signs the first pro contract from Fayetteville Tech Athletics.
Hughes played men’s basketball for FTCC for two seasons. He currently still holds the school record for individual season rebounds with 309, which he achieved in his 2018-19 season. Under Coach Hurd, Hughes was taught everything from rebounding, dribbling to shooting and getting the opportunity to learn more based on his athletic performance. Coach Hurd gave him a chance that put Hughes on the juco route and jumpstarted his career to where he is today.
“Johnny came to us from playing football at Louisburg College and had a lot of athletic ability. We worked with him everyday developing basketball skills and other skill sets. He is the single hardest working young man that I know. Whenever the gym was open, Johnny was in there practicing and working on his skills,” said head men’s basketball coach at FTCC, Brian Hurd.
Hughes is the first generation of his family to attend college. Not only does Johnny have his associate of arts degree, but a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is one class away from having his master’s degree in sports administration.
He started out his college career at Louisburg College playing football in Louisburg, North Carolina. After not getting as much playing time as he hoped, he knew that to make it in the sports world he had to prove himself. Seeing his brother playing in a high school basketball game, he knew his passion was in the sport of basketball.
Johnny came back home to Fayetteville to live with his mother and attended trade school. He switched to working towards an associates degree when he started playing basketball for FTCC. Coming off of academic probation, he earned an All-Academic Team award, made the Dean’s List and earned a scholarship his second year.
After his two years at FTCC, Hughes transferred to The University of Mount Olive to continue his athletic career. To enter the business administration program, he needed to take seven classes over the summer before heading to Mount Olive. “Taking these seven classes at the same time over the summer prepared me for any class at Mount Olive,” said Hughes.
While he was at Mount Olive, Hughes had to learn how to manage his time with classes and practice. He had two practices a day instead of one like at the junior college level. “I fell in the love with the process. I started to like going to classes when I saw it paying off. Coming from the juco route, it makes you appreciate so much more at a four year school. There was a gym on campus, I lived in a dorm and had a meal plan. It makes you more hungry and motivated,” Hughes said.
He prepared himself well for having multiple workouts in a day with his time at FTCC. After team practices, Hughes had a gym membership at planet fitness and would continue to put in work on his own. “The dream for any juco athlete is to make it to a four year school. That is motivating and gives you passion for the game,” Hughes said.
After his two years at the University of Mount Olive, Hughes entered the transfer portal. He had opportunity to go pro at this point if he wanted to, but he wanted to go somewhere away from home in the United States before going over seas. Hughes received a full-ride to the University of the Incarnate World in San Antonio, Texas to play division one basketball and study
towards a masters degree.
“I made the right decision playing division one basketball first. It taught me to learn how to listen to authority differently. I was taking night classes for my masters degree and juggling lifting, practice and skill nights. I was prepared for everything from my experience at FTCC from my summer classes, the extra work I put in and my time at Mount Olive,” said Hughes about his experience at UIW.
“I am proud of the progression in his career. I am so excited for him to reach his lifelong dream of playing division one basketball and now getting paid to play. I hope he continues to have a good mentality, grind it out and out work everybody. The sky is the limit for this kid, he has the natural ability. I continue to pray that God looks over him and that he continues to succeed,” said Coach Hurd.
Johnny heads to Cyprus at the end of August for a one year contract with ENP basketball. After his contract is up he is looking to continue his basketball career and see where it takes him next.
“Everything is a process. To make it in the sports world you have to stand out and put in the extra work. I never thought I would go pro when I was playing at FTCC or even my first year at Mount Olive. I had the motivation and put in the time to not be a regular division two basketball player. I am so excited to start my career at ENP Basketball. Walk by faith, not by sight,” said Hughes.
If you would like to follow along on Johnny’s journey with ENP Basketball, here is the link with all the information: https://basketball.eurobasket.com/team/Cyprus/Enosis-Neon-Paralimni/3527