NBA NAMES JOHNSON TO LEAD OFFICIATING

Retired Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson, who was the first woman to lead the U.S. Air Force Academy as superintendent, has been named NBA senior vice president and head of referee operations. Johnson, a 1981 graduate of the Air Force Academy, will be in charge of the NBA’s officiating program. which includes recruitment, training, development and evaluation of the league’s referees. She will also oversee the replay center. “Over the course of time, we were looking at how she embraces and embodies our core values of teamwork, innovation, integrity and respect,” NBA president of league operations Byron Spruell told USA TODAY Sports. “Clearly, with her background, that comes straight through. She’s a former basketball player and has a passion for the game. She has a lot of experience in full regimen of training, whether that’s from the recruiting side to the evaluation of her cadets. That’s absolutely applicable to the environment we’re in today. She was the best candidate.”