STATESBORO - Fifth-year senior Leah Johnson and senior Bukky Akinsola of Georgia Southern women's basketball each will have a very special Thanksgiving this week as the pair will be playing in their home state of New Jersey in this week's Battle on the Banks tournament hosted by Rutgers. For both, it's the first time they will have the opportunity to play so close to home, in front of many friends and family since embarking on their collegiate journeys. 

Read all about the special week ahead for both players in these features by Georgia Southern athletic communications intern Briyanna Thompson.

Every athlete's journey to success is different, but for Leah Johnson, her path has been anything but conventional. From a high school career full of promise to facing unexpected setbacks in her college recruiting, and eventually finding her way to college basketball through a non-traditional route, Leah's journey has taught her one thing: never give up on your dreams. Now, after years of playing far from her home in Hillside, New Jersey, she's finally getting the chance to play in front of her hometown crowd during the Rutgers Battle on the Banks tournament—the closest she's ever been to home in her collegiate career.

A Rocky Start: From High School to the Unexpected

Coming out of high school, things seemed to be falling into place for Leah. She had offers from several schools, but as the recruiting process unfolded, those offers quickly faded away. By August, just before her senior year, she found herself without any offers, leaving her uncertain about the future.

"Coming out of high school, offers come and go very fast," she recalls. "I had offers throughout my high school years, but then, out of nowhere, by August, I had no offers. So, I went to Rider University as a manager."

But Rider wasn't the place for her. After COVID-19 hit and threw everything into chaos, Leah knew she couldn't sit out another year.

"I was supposed to go to Rider, but then COVID happened, and everything got more complicated," she says. "I knew that if I didn't play this year, I would be done with basketball. I wasn't ready for that."

That's when Leah made a bold decision: she chose to join Central Methodist University, an NAIA program in Missouri. It would prove to be a turning point in her basketball career.

"I had never heard of NAIA before, but I knew I didn't want to sit out a season. I wanted to play, no matter where it was," she says. "So, I went to Central Methodist and played. And from there, everything started to fall into place."

From Central Methodist to Georgia Southwestern: The Road to Opportunity

After a successful stint at Central Methodist, where she honed her skills and made her mark on the court, Leah's journey took another twist. While at Central Methodist, she had the opportunity to scrimmage against Moberly Area Community College, where she first met Coach Hannah from Georgia Southwestern University.

"I remember playing against Moberly and getting to know Coach Hannah," she says. "It was crazy because we were all just small pieces in the big puzzle, but there was something there. After I left Central Methodist, Coach Hannah reached out to me, and that was my chance to get to Georgia Southwestern."

At Georgia Southwestern, Leah continued to develop, becoming an even more impactful player. But despite her success in the south, something was always missing—the chance to play in front of her family and friends back home in New Jersey.

The Long Road to New Jersey: Returning for the Holidays

Now, as a senior, Leah has earned her spot back home—well, almost. The upcoming Rutgers Battle on the Banks tournament will be the closest Leah has ever been to Hillside, New Jersey, in her collegiate career. Previously, the closest she had played was when Georgia Southwestern State played in the NCAA Division II regional at Catawba College, 534 miles away from home.

"The whole city is coming out! I haven't played at home since 2019," she says, visibly excited. "I've played all over—Missouri, Iowa, and all these other places far away. My friends and family, they all tune in, and I still feel their love and support, even though I've been so far from home during my whole collegiate experience. They haven't missed a game."

She adds, "I feel the love, I feel the support, and they're excited about it. It's just exciting to see it in person."

Feeling the Support: A Community Behind Her

While playing far from home has been tough, Leah has always felt the love and support of her community, even from a distance. Whether through social media or watching her games online, her family, friends, and hometown supporters have been a constant source of motivation.

"It's crazy to think about how many people are going to be there," she says. "My family, my friends, teachers, everyone in my community—they've all been supporting me from afar. Even though I've been playing all over the country, I've always felt that love. Now, to see them in person, to feel that energy—it's overwhelming."

For Leah, the upcoming tournament is more than just another game. It's a chance to give back to the people who have helped her get this far in her journey. To finally play in front of them, in her home state, feels like a dream come true.

 

What's Next: A Future in Basketball

Looking ahead, Leah knows that her journey in basketball is far from over. Whether she pursues a professional career overseas or shifts to coaching, she's committed to staying involved in the sport that has given her so much.

"I love basketball, and I want to keep playing as long as I can," she says. "Whether it's overseas, or coaching, I just want to keep giving back to the game. It's been such a big part of my life, and I want to keep pouring into the sport, especially by helping others the way I've been helped along the way."

A Special Homecoming

As the Rutgers Battle on the Banks tournament approaches, Leah is filled with excitement and gratitude. For the first time in years, she's playing close to home—surrounded by family, friends, and her entire community, all cheering her on. The holiday season has never felt so special.

"For me, this tournament isn't just about basketball," she says. "It's about honoring my journey, the community that has supported me, and the future I'm building."

For Bukky Akinsola, the road to playing in the Rutgers Battle on the Banks Tournament has been a long and winding journey. After years of playing college basketball far from her hometown of Hillside, New Jersey, she will finally have the chance to play in front of her family and friends back home this holiday season.

This week, when the Georgia Southern Eagles take the court in Piscataway, New Jersey, at Rutgers University for the Battle on the Banks Tournament, Bukky will come full circle. Despite years spent playing across the country in Missouri, Kansas, and North Carolina, this tournament will mark the first time she will play a college basketball game close to home, just miles from the place where it all began.

A Journey Across the Country

Before arriving at Georgia Southern, Bukky's collegiate basketball journey took her to several different states and schools. She began at Moberly Area Community College in Missouri, where she was recruited by Coach Hanna. "I was getting recruited first by Coach Hanna at Moberly," Bukky recalled, " But I decided to go to Cowley first, which is in Kansas. 

She then transferred to Moberly, after her time at Cowley College in Kansas, a move that took her even further away from New Jersey. "Kansas was really far, but I never minded being away from home," she said. 

Bukky then transferred to High Point University in North Carolina. "High point was the closest I've played to home."

Coming Home for the First Time in College

In just a few days, her team will travel to Rutgers University to compete in the Battle on the Banks Tournament, and for the first time in her collegiate career, Bukky will be playing in a game near Hillside. "This game is huge for me," Bukky said. "I've been playing across the country for years, but this is the first time I'll be playing in New Jersey. It's crazy to think about."

The opportunity to play close to home means a lot to Bukky, who has spent years playing on the other side of the country. "It's going to be great to finally have my family and friends in the stands cheering me on," she said. "Being so far away for so long, I'm excited to be able to share this experience with them."

Bukky's excitement is shared by her family, many of whom are planning to attend the tournament. "I can't count how many people are coming to watch me play," she said. "There's going to be a lot of people in the stands for sure, a lot of friends and family."

The emotional significance of this game is not lost on Bukky. "I'm really excited to play in front of my hometown crowd," she said. "I haven't had that chance in college yet. I'm looking forward to having that atmosphere again, how it was back in high school."

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future After the Game

Beyond this week's tournament, Bukky has plans for the future. "I'd love to continue being involved in basketball, whether that's through coaching or something else," she shared. "I'm just excited to see where my journey takes me."

A Dream Realized

For Bukky Akinsola, this game in New Jersey is more than just another tournament—it's the culmination of a journey she's had since starting her collegiate career. 

As she steps onto the court at Rutgers University for the Battle on the Banks Tournament, it will be a chance to reflect on how far she's come—and how the journey that began in Hillside, New Jersey, has led her to this moment: playing in front of her home crowd for the very first time.