Towson women’s basketball senior India Johnston recently chatted with PressBox about staying at Towson for four years, the trainer who has guided her for years and more. The 5-foot-8 guard averaged 12.5 points and 2.5 assists while shooting 34.7 percent from 3-point range for the Tigers in 2024-25. Johnston is a native of Bear, Del., and graduate of Caravel Academy.
PressBox: How did you first become interested in basketball?
India Johnston: Basketball was just always around my whole family. I always played with the boys around the neighborhood. Ever since then, I started to love the sport.
PB: Who was the biggest influence on your game growing up?
IJ: That’s a good question. I’ve always been a fan of Steph Curry. I’ll say him.
PB: Why did you choose to go to Towson?
IJ: It was bigger than basketball. I remember stepping on the campus, everything just kind of fit for me. I tried to look for something that was bigger than basketball. I just really liked the campus and the diversity that comes with it.
PB: What allowed you to become a starter in 2024-25?
IJ: Honestly, just waiting my turn. The first two years sitting on the bench and coming in when I can, it really just started the growth. When I started my junior year last year, it just all felt like God’s time and just trusting everything to come into place.
PB: Local hoops fans know Towson head coach Laura Harper won a national championship at Maryland. What’s something fans might not know about her?
IJ: I would say she’s super ecstatic. She brings energy every single day, even times when we come off a loss or we’re super tired, long morning. Whatever the case, she always brings energy. We can appreciate that as a team because it helps us follow behind that.
PB: This is your fourth year at Towson. Why was it important to you to stick around?
IJ: I’m just a very loyal kid, always been. No matter the ups or downs, I just believe in staying loyal. I also believe in this team. Last year maybe wasn’t the greatest, but I trusted the process. I knew that we had to have some different guards and different people to come in to help out. I trusted the process and I believe in it.
PB: Was there any coach or player along the way who helped you with your shot?
IJ: I’d say my trainer from Delaware, [Brittani Shells]. She was with me in the gym long hours, ever since I was 8 years old. She’s always been with me, even now. She honestly just taught me everything from handling the ball, my jump shot, all of it from A to Z.
PB: Who did you look up to early in your college career?
IJ: The only person I could say is my trainer. She played at the University of Richmond and then played overseas. She taught me everything I know, so watching her play, she’s much more aggressive. She’s a scorer. I watched her play a lot to get inspired.
PB: What advice would you give to younger players looking to play in college?
IJ: Honestly, just keeping their head down, stay humble. Everything is timing. I think that’s the biggest piece. A lot of freshmen expect to play because they come out of a high school being the star player, whatever the case is. My biggest thing is just staying humble and then just timing. Everything’s going to work out in your timing the way it’s supposed to.
PB: What are your goals for after basketball, whenever it ends?
IJ: I’m not closing any doors. Whether that’s pursuing basketball after college or going into grad school, I haven’t decided yet.
PB: Why are you studying psychology at Towson?
IJ: I just think it’s a broad umbrella. If I graduate, there’s a couple different things that I could do with it. I didn’t want to put myself in a box because I’m still unsure of what I want to do. I just thought it was a broad major.
Photo Credit: ENP Photography