ESPN No. 10 recruit ZaKiyah Johnson has firmly established herself as one of the most decorated high school basketball players in Kentucky history. She became the first player in the Valkyries’ storied program to surpass both 2,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds, which is an unprecedented feat that underscores her dominance on both ends of the floor. A three-time Gatorade Kentucky Girls Basketball Player of the Year, Johnson’s consistent excellence has earned her a recruitment from Kim Mulkey’s LSU.

Who Are Zakiyah Johnson’s Parents?

ZaKiyah’s mother is TaNeisha Jointer, while her father is Butch Jointer, and they have been instrumental in shaping her basketball journey. TaNeisha played guard for four seasons at Morehead State in eastern Kentucky. Her father, Butch, played at Western Kentucky and coaches at Woodford County High School, where her younger brother, Omari, also plays. Johnson’s mother currently works at the Shelby County High School. Sacred Heart coach Donna Moir has praised Johnson’s family for their contribution to recruiting players. 

“Her family is really great about the whole recruiting thing,” Moir said. “They handle a lot of that, we’ll handle a little bit with just coaches coming in. She does a great job of just balancing and keeping that all in check because when it’s basketball time, it’s basketball for ZaKiyah and she’s very focused on getting better.”

What is the ethnicity of ZaKiyah Johnson’s parents?

Both of ZaKiyah Johnson’s parents are African-American.

Inside Zakiyah Johnson’s Relationship with her Parents

Johnson’s parents have played a huge role in making ZaKiyah the player she is. Each of their Facebook posts is dedicated to one of their children, showcasing their love for them. Johnson’s mother drilled into her the importance of gritty, aggressive defense from day one, telling her, “The whole game is about toughness, guts, and wanting to play defense.”

As both a seasoned coach and former player, Butch brings a wealth of basketball IQ to the table. His insights have been instrumental in shaping ZaKiyah’s all-around game. His hands-on guidance has sharpened her instincts, refined her technique, and prepared her to thrive against elite competition with confidence and control. 

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Zakiyah will now take a step into college basketball at Kim Mulkey’s famed basketball program at LSU. The junior wing, ranked as a top prospect for next season, had a list of a dozen schools, a group that includes two-time champion South Carolina, UConn, and nearby Louisville. She ultimately chose Baton Rouge as her destination. Now she moves 555 miles away to Baton Rouge, and she will move away from her parents for the first time. However, their advice will still be valuable for her as she takes one of the most important moves of her career.