Johnny Jackson’s Journey Through Cancer and Basketball

Johnny Jackson was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in July 2024, but that didn’t stop him from playing the sport he loves. Jackson, a senior at Ridgewood High School in New Jersey, is still competing in his final season of basketball despite battling cancer. He is not just playing — he is dominating — averaging 24 points per game while still undergoing chemotherapy. Some chemotherapy sessions were scheduled just a few days before his games.

Before Jackson was diagnosed in July with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer that starts in the lymph nodes, he began having concerns during October 2023. At the time, the doctor diagnosed him with mono and said he was good to play his junior season. He played the 2023-24 season without realizing he was not at 100 percent, due to the cancer slowly building inside his body.

During that season, Jackson kept having swollen lymph nodes all over his body. When his parents made the call to visit the doctor again, he was sent to an oncologist where he was then diagnosed with cancer. With that diagnosis on July 28, he began chemotherapy in early August right around his birthday, with his treatments continuing up until basketball season. Even with chemotherapy sessions overlapping with basketball season, he remained committed to the challenge, even if his doctors thought he was crazy.

“I didn’t even jump to the conclusion that I was going to play,” Jackson said. “I was going to stay in the gym no matter what and just try and stay in the best shape.”

Despite undergoing chemotherapy during the season, Jackson hasn’t let it stop him. For instance, he started his 10th round of chemotherapy on December 16, and just three days later, he scored 30 points in a game to secure a win.

Chemotherapy has been tough physically, mentally and emotionally for Jackson. As a student-athlete battling cancer, some days have been harder than others, even though he tries to appear fine to those around him.

With Jackson having to stay in the hospital or at home due to sickness, being alone challenges him mentally and emotionally. Even with chemotherapy taking place one day at a time, he still could not go to school, because while he may mask up his illness on the court, he has to use the rest of the week to recover.

“I am sick one week from the medicine,” Jackson said. “And then the next week it is not like I get to really see anyone.”

To keep himself motivated, Jackson posts on X, sharing photos of himself flexing his muscles while wearing wristbands that hold special meaning. One is a maroon bracelet that reads “Battle for Buckets,” a nickname that the students at Ridgewood High School gave him when he first got diagnosed. But the other bracelet is thin and black with the word “strength” engraved in it.

“It is just to kind of remind me that, even though this is such a tough time, I just need to stay strong at all times,” he said. “I can always look down and know that I need to be strong for the people around me.”

While social media can sometimes be a negative space for athletes, Jackson has received an outpouring of support. Notably, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and former New York Knicks player Matt Barnes both sent Jackson personalized videos.

One celebrity who keeps in contact with Jackson is former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown. The former wide receiver sent him a care package with shirts and other goods, and Jackson said after each round of his chemo, Brown would text him saying he’s been thinking about him.

For Jackson, it is not always about the celebrities who have reached out. Knowing the support he has received from his friends and family back home in Ridgewood is who he credits with keeping him motivated through his journey.

“I don’t think I could be where I am without all levels of the support I have gotten so far,” Jackson said. “It’s been truly awesome.”

Jackson finished his 12th and final round of chemo on January 14, but he faces one last hurdle: a PET scan this month to confirm that all the cancer has been erased from his body. If the results are positive, his doctors will declare him officially cancer-free.

Once Jackson is officially cancer-free, he has more goals to accomplish before his high school career ends. He earned the title of Ridgewood’s all-time leading scorer in December, but he still wants to reach 2,000 points and help his team win a state title – something the school has never done. Currently, Jackson is close to 1,800 points and has about 20 more games left in his career.

“I was already only 40 points away from the school record before my senior year,” Jackson said. “2,000 points was in the picture, too. Another sectional championship. There’s just so much to look forward to this year.”

Even though this senior season has been one to remember, Jackson now feels confident that he can achieve anything because he’s never felt alone during his battle.

“No matter where you are, what cancer you have, where you’re getting your treatment, there’s always going to be someone or some group of people who are there to help you,” Jackson said. “So just know you’re never alone in this fight.”