Aurora University basketball legends reunite; ex-Chicago Bull returns to Aurora
Aurora University alumni and basketball legends Wallace "Mickey" Johnson of Chicago and James Lancaster of Aurora reunited during a Feb. 9 homecourt game.
Johnson left his seat in Thornton Gymnasium to chat with Lancaster during halftime of the AU-Rockford University men's basketball game.
A 1974 Aurora College alum, Johnson recorded 2,453 points and 1,966 rebounds as a Spartan from 1970 to 1974. In 1974, he was named a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics first-team All-America.
After college graduation, Johnson began a 12-year, 904-game NBA career.
After five years with the Chicago Bulls, he played for the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and New Jersey Nets. The Bulls retired his No. 43 jersey in a ceremony before a 1978 game with the New York Knicks.
Lancaster, a 1986 AU alum, stepped down from coaching at Aurora University in 2016 after 30 seasons as a men's and women's coach. After serving as men's assistant coach from 1986 to 1990, he led the women's program from 1990 to 1994, compiling a 58-42 record.
Taking over as men's head coach in 1994, Lancaster compiled an AU record 404 wins to 188 losses. In 22 seasons, he led the AU men to nine NCAA Division III appearances and 10 Northern Illinois Intercollegiate Conference championships.
On Nov. 11, 2016, Aurora University named the playing surface in Thornton Gymnasium "Lancaster Court." Currently he serves as vice president for enrollment at Aurora University.
Lancaster began his student career at Aurora after a standout basketball record at Taylorville (Ill.) High School.
Rockford defeated Aurora 101-64 Feb. 9.