Meet Cassandra Merricks, wife of NBA star player and coach Avery Johnson. Both from the same hometown of  New Orleans, Cassandra and Avery met in college at Southern University in nearby Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Johnson married Cassandra in July 6th, 1991 in New Orleans. They have two children, Christianne and Avery Jr.

Despite having a nationally visible husband, Cassandra, a nursing school graduate, keeps a low-profile. Part of the reason is that they don’t want Christianne and Avery Jr. in the spotlight’s glare.  Cassandra says, “We don’t want our kids, everywhere we go, to hear people saying, ‘Those are Avery Johnson’s kids.’ ” She adds, “After kids hear that over and over, they think they are different. “They’re blessed. They have many benefits of having a great father, a successful father and a very smart man. We’ve got to be grateful and thankful.”

Cassandra and Avery have a strong passion for helping others. They financially and spiritually support many church programs in New Orleans, Houston and Dallas.

Avery Johnson played 16 years in the NBA. He played for the Seattle Super Sonics, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, and Dallas Mavericks.

Also, Avery was a coach for the Dallas Mavericks (2004–2008).

Currently, Avery Johnson is ESPN/ABC studio analyst.

In an exclusive interview appearing in this weekend’s New York Times Magazine, the Obamas talk about their marriage and the challenges they’ve faced. Jodi Kantor, who conducted the interview, shares some of the details.