MIAMI – LeBron James still takes great pride in his high school roots, and that includes fellow St. Vincent-St. Mary High School alumnus Ricky Johnson, now a Bethune-Cookman point guard.

B-CUathletics.com recently talked with the Miami Heat star, who helped mentor Johnson during his high school playing days in Akron, Ohio.

“For [Ricky] to make it out of Akron with a college scholarship is big time,” James said. “We have a lot of pride at St. Vincent-St. Mary, and we take that pride with us no matter where we are in the world. I'm very proud of him.”

Johnson gave his Wildcat teammates a tour of the St. Vincent-St. Mary facilities when the team was in Ohio playing Kent State. And James, despite his NBA championship and global superstar status, keeps his high school close to him.

“Absolutely. That pride stays with us,” James said. “We hold our high school at a high level. We don't take that for granted.”

James praised Johnson for his dedication to the sport.

“He's a kid who wants to get better,” James said of Johnson. “He loves the game, and anyone who loves the game, it gives back to them.”

Johnson, a sophomore, is averaging 6.0 points and 2.3 rebounds after nine games this season. As a freshman, Johnson garnered two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week honors.

The Wildcats (5-9 overall, 0-1 MEAC) are on holiday break and will return to action January 5^th at LSU.