Hard-working Chaney Johnson strives to 'enjoy the moment'

AUBURN, Ala. – The first time Chaney Johnson worked out with Auburn assistant coach Ira Bowman, he did so after practice, a decision Chaney quickly regretted.

“After that first workout, I was fixing to crawl out of the gym because I was so tired,” Johnson recalled.

“This year, I wanted that a little bit more because if you’re tired like that, you’re going to get better after every workout. It’s played a big role. He understands my game and what I need to do to get to the next level.”

The workouts, usually 45 minutes in duration before each Auburn practice, include the 6-7 Johnson posting up against the 6-5 Bowman, who delivers ample contact to simulate the physicality of playing in the paint in the SEC.

“A lot of basic stuff that seems miniscule is the stuff we’re working on,” Johnson said, “so I can create that edge against my opponents. If I’m able to bully him, I’ll be able to bully any opponent who tries to guard me.”

Diligent strength and conditioning work with director of sports performance Damon Davis has helped Johnson bulk up from 200 pounds when he arrived at Auburn in the summer of 2023 to 225 pounds today.

“My body has changed since I got here,” Johnson said. “Coach D gets a lot of credit for that. The guys who take it seriously will reap the benefit from it.”

Pearl lauds Johnson’s work ethic and athleticism. 

“Chaney Johnson is my hardest worker,” Pearl said. “Nobody on this team would argue.”

“It’s a big compliment because it goes to show your work never goes unnoticed,” Johnson said. “There’s always going to be somebody watching you. I don’t want to have injuries so it’s working smarter, not harder, but still getting in the gym and working on your craft.”

At Thompson High School near Birmingham, Johnson received offers from five schools, ranging from junior colleges to NAIA to Division II. 

“I was grateful to end up choosing the right school,” Johnson said of his three seasons at Alabama-Huntsville. 

After earning Gulf South Conference player of the year honors in 2022-23, Johnson wanted to take his game to Division I. 

“I feel like God told me Auburn,” he said. “It was the best decision I could ever make. Playing under a legendary coach like Bruce Pearl and such a wonderful coaching staff.” 

Backing up Jaylin Williams last season after transferring from UAH, Johnson averaged 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in 2023-24.

“Being able to learn under him and watch him, I was grateful,” Johnson said. 

In his second season on the Plains, Johnson has earned a bigger role, averaging 10 points, 5.5 rebounds and 24 minutes per game while shooting 57.5 percent from the field for the nation’s top-ranked team.  

“My main goal this year is to have fun,” he said. “This is my last year, so being able to have fun and enjoy the moment.”

The fun, as the saying goes, is in the winning. Before Southeastern Conference competition tipped off, Johnson helped No. 2 Auburn accomplish in six weeks what previous Tigers teams had done in 75 years: defeat four ranked, non-conference regular season opponents.

After the first three weekends of SEC play, No. 1 Auburn sits alone at the top of the standings.

“The job’s not finished,” Johnson said. “There’s a lot more in the tank. These are cool guys to be around. We always have fun and joke around. It’s a good thing.”

Until he joined the starting lineup after Johni Broome’s ankle injury, Johnson was often the first player off the bench, leading Auburn’s vaunted second wave, a unit that includes freshman standouts Tahaad Pettiford and Jahki Howard.  

“It’s crazy how talented this team is,” Johnson said. “I feel like we are the most loaded team in the country. When other teams’ five or six guys start getting tired, we still have five guys hungry to play and hungry to win. It’s a blessing to have such a talented team and have so many people to depend on. I’m really grateful to be part of a team where the love is spread around.”

Johnson provides wisdom and an example to young basketball players, whose dreams of stardom might require starting at a lower level than their peers.

“Keep God first in everything you do and your life is going to go well,” he said. “Two, stay in the gym and keep working. You’re going to improve better than your mind can even imagine.”

After the Tigers defeated Ohio State Dec. 14 in Atlanta, Johnson and Broome returned to Neville Arena to take part in Auburn’s commencement.

“A great experience,” said Johnson, a second-generation college graduate who earned a marketing degree from Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business. “To graduate from Auburn is a blessing.”

It took a D-II detour, but Chaney Johnson ended up where he believes he was meant to be. An Auburn man at last, the epitome of work, hard work. 

“There’s no better fanbase,” Johnson said. “Seeing how much the fans love the players through the ups and downs. The fans travel. There are Auburn fans everywhere. No better community than the Auburn Tiger community.”

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer