Good Sports: Fresno native, NBA player AJ Johnson visits Valley Children’s Hospital

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — This week at Valley Children’s Hospital, AJ Johnson was giving back.

The Fresno native just wrapped up his second year in the NBA.

AJ went to San Joaquin Memorial, where he played with fellow NBA player Jalen Green.

When COVID hit, AJ transferred to Taft High in Los Angeles.

Johnson went in the first round to the Milwaukee Bucks before being traded this past year to the Washington Wizards.

As he settles into another city, he’s remembering his roots.

“It means everything to me,” Johnson said. “This is where I’m from, especially Valley Children’s. They took care of my brother when he was eight, so I’ve always got love for them.”

AJ’s youngest brother was treated for diabetes.

“It was a long journey,” says their mom, Ashley Bufford. “It’s nice to see my baby coming back to give back to the kids that are here. Brings back a lot of memories.”

Now, there are positive memories for the patients going through their own battles.

“They were really kind about it to come to the hospital,” says patient Rilee Mejia.

“They’ve been great, and having this visitor has really been day-brightening,” says Elizabeth Whiteman, a mother of a patient.

A former five-star recruit is showing what it means to be a star in the NBA.

“Proud of his (AJ’s) accomplishments, how focused and how he keeps amazing us with everything that he’s accomplishing, going out there and tackling the world,” Bufford said.

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