William C. “Skinny” Johnson (1911-1980)

Hall of Fame Basketball Player. At 6'4", William C. "Skinny" Johnson was one of the tallest basketball players of his time. Height, combined with his excellent jumping ability and basketball savvy, allowed Johnson to be named All-American as a high school player at Oklahoma City Central, in college as a Kansas Jayhawk, and as an AAU player at a time when the Amateur Athletic Union represented the best post-college basketball in the country. Johnson was the third player in his family to play at Central High School and be called "Skinny". His brother Clarence was the first "Skinny" as team captain in 1923, brother Kenneth was another "Skinny" who graduated in 1927 leaving William to be "Skinny" until he graduated in 1929. Johnson was coached by the legendary Phog Allen at Kansas, leading the Jayhawks to the Big Six conference championship in 1931, '32 and '33. Johnson was enshrined in the National Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977.

Bio by: Cemetery Guy