Houma native Omari Dillard-Johnson to represent Team USA at United World Games in Austria
Omari Dillard-Johnson is ready to represent the United States on the world stage.
The Houma native and former Covenant Christian Academy basketball player has been selected to play in the 2022 United World Games on June 16-19 in Klagenfurt, Austria. He will play for Student Athlete World 19U USA Basketball Team.
Dillard-Johnson, who attends Delgado Community College in New Orleans, is the only player from Louisiana to make the team.
“I’m very excited. It’s amazing,” Dillard-Johnson said. “I want to have fun, see all the different countries and see all the cultures. I want to make great memories while I’m there.”
Dillard-Johnson learned about the United World Games from two of his coaches in former NBA players Patrick Savoy and Mark Davis. He attended a tryout in Houston last year and also had to get letters of recommendation, provide a resume and go through an interview process. The players are selected on leadership, character and skills.
Dillard-Johnson is one of 25 players selected. More than 130 players tried out for the team.
“There’s not too many people who can leave the country and play for Team USA,” Dillard-Johnson said. “I can scratch this off my bucket list. I feel fortunate and blessed. I’m very excited for it. I’m not really too nervous. I’m just going to go out there and have fun.”
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Dillard-Johnson is used to overcoming odds since the day he was born.
His mother, Karen Dillard, said her son had health problems that came from his premature birth at 7 pounds, 9 ounces and 18 1/2 inches.
He couldn’t hear for the first year of his life. He had constant ear infections that led to his being deaf in one ear. He developed a mild case of autism.
He overcame his disabilities and became one of the Houma area’s top high school student-athletes as a senior in 2021. He led Covenant Christian with 18.4 points per game.
He wants his story to serve as inspiration for other area youth facing adversity.
“Just never give up, work hard and always keep God first,” Dillard-Johnson said. “Never let a disability define who you are. You can go out there and do anything.”
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Dillard, who raised her son as a single mother, said she taught him never to back down from any challenge.
“I never thought I would have a son that God has just blessed so much,” Dillard said. “He’s been a wonderful child since the day he was born.
“There was some tough times, but I never let him give up. I’m probably more excited than him because he has achieved so much.”
Both Dillard-Johnson and his mother will get to travel outside the country for the first time. They will visit Austria, Italy and Germany.
“It’s very exciting that my mom will be there,” Dillard-Johnson said. “There’s no way I would be here without her. She has always been there.”
Dillard said she wants her son to make the most of it.
“I want to see him have fun and take in the culture,” Dillard said. “It’s not often you get to do something like this. I want him to make friendships because you never know, it may lead to other opportunities in his life. This is something every kid dreams about, representing their country. I want him to take all this in and just enjoy it and go out there and do his best.”
If anyone would like to help with expenses for the trip, Dillard said contact her at 985-791-4710.
Reach Chris Singleton at 985-857-2213 or chris.singleton@houmatoday.com and on Twitter @courierchris.
This article originally appeared on The Courier: Houma's Omari Dillard-Johnson will play in United World Games
