Photos: Holding court in his hometown

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson helped prevent the Sacramento Kings from leaving the city and has now steered the construction of a downtown arena to house the NBA franchise. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Oct. 4, 2014 11:03 AM PT

The popularity of Kevin Johnson, Sacramento’s first African American mayor, has soared since the biggest political coup of his career: His successful effort last year to keep the Sacramento Kings basketball team from leaving town.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, center, is all smiles after a deal to build a new basketball arena in downtown Sacramento was approved by the City Council. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson’s political victory with the hometown Kings is huge for him and has many wondering how far his political aspirations will take him. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Supporters erupt into cheers as the agreement to build a new arena for the Kings is approved by the Sacramento City Council. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Supporters of Johnson gather outside the City Council chambers as the arena agreement is approved. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

A poster of Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson held aloft outside City Hall is reminiscent of the Obama campaign of 2008. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

The largely empty and defunct Downtown Plaza will be the site of the new home of the Sacramento Kings. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is from the city’s impoverished Oak Park neighborhood. There have been improvements there since he took office, including a popular coffee shop at one of the neighborhood’s busiest corners. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Construction crews build what will be the new home of the Sacramento Kings. Former NBA All-Star turned Mayor Kevin Johnson played a key role in the project. (Carl Costas / For The Times)

Mayor Kevin Johnson celebrates the Sacramento Republic FC soccer team’s championship season at the state Capitol in 2010. (Carl Costas / For The Times)

Johnson at the state Capitol in 2010. “I’ve been fighting for six years to change governance in Sacramento so you can finally be an executive. I want the buck to stop somewhere and be held accountable,” he said. (Carl Costas / For The Times)

It was in Oak Park that Kevin Johnson had his first taste of celebrity, leading the state in scoring for Sacramento High School’s basketball team. His star grew brighter when he played basketball at UC Berkeley and then in the NBA. (Carl Costas / For The Times)