Former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian, left, and former UNLV star forward Larry Johnson share a laugh with fans while signing autographs during an event at The Orleans on Wednesday night. Photo by Craig L. Moran. Larry Johnson, celebrating a basket during a game with the New York Knicks in 2000, retired from the NBA in 2001 because of back problems. Since then, he has been active in helping youngsters in the Dallas neighborhood he grew up in. Photo by The Associated Press

Larry Johnson turned 38 Wednesday. But he could have easily passed for 22. That's how fit and trim the former UNLV star looked.

Johnson, who helped bring UNLV a national championship in 1990 and a trip to the Final Four in 1991, appeared at a pre-NCAA Tournament fan gathering at The Orleans on Wednesday night with Jerry Tarkanian, who coached him in his two years at the school.

Johnson said he was excited about the current Rebels, who are back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000 and will face Georgia Tech on Friday in Chicago.

"I've watched them three, four, five times," Johnson said as he signed autographs for fans. "I love them. You know I'll be pulling for those guys."

Apparently, he loves his school again, too. Not only did Johnson indicate he might be ready to lend his name to UNLV, he has renewed pursuit of his degree, something he put aside when the then-Charlotte Hornets made him the No. 1 overall pick of the 1991 NBA Draft.

Johnson, who lives in Dallas, is taking correspondence courses through UNLV. He wants to coach high school basketball and needs his bachelor's degree in order to get a job. He is on a Newman Scholarship, which was set up nearly three decades ago to help former UNLV basketball players return and get their degree. Johnson hopes to be done by the end of the summer.

"I can relate more to high school kids. I feel I can do a lot more for high school kids than college guys," said Johnson, who has been very supportive of his alma mater, Skyline High School, as well as his South Dallas neighborhood. He financed a recreation center for local kids, and there is no charge to use the facility.

Since retiring from the NBA with back problems in 2001 after a 10-year career, Johnson has kept a low profile. He and his family live near where he grew up. Through his foundation, he has been involved in various fundraising endeavors. While in Las Vegas, he plans to take a look at the Tarkanian Basketball Academy, which has four courts. Johnson had a similar facility built next door to the recreation center.

"When I was a kid, there was no recreation center for me to go to," Johnson said. "I'm there all the time."

Johnson has also taken up golf. He is between a 10 and 11 handicap, and he said playing the game doesn't bother his back.

"My back stopped hurting once I stopped playing basketball," he said. "I love (golf). It gives me a chance to be competitive again."

Johnson said he doesn't gamble on the golf course. His goal? Break par and break his partner's chops.

"I don't need that pressure," he said of gambling on the course. "I play for the fun of it and to talk trash."

Johnson said his life is great, and he said with Tarkanian back in the school's good graces, he's likely to follow suit.

"I do whatever this dude tells me to do," Johnson said, putting his arm around his old coach. "Coach Kruger and I have talked a couple times, and he seems like a good guy. I told him I'll be getting back to him."

Tarkanian said as good as Johnson looked, one thing about him hadn't changed since he coached him from 1989 to 1991.

"He still the same person," Tarkanian said. "He's still the best person I've ever been around."