Douglas stayed local initially for his collegiate career, playing basketball at Calhoun Community College where his freshman season saw the Warhawks go 27–3, earning a #3 national ranking.

[13] Proving third times a charm, another NBA pre-season audition in 1981 produced the desired result as Douglas made the roster for the San Diego Clippers.

He would spend the 1981-82 San Diego Clippers season with the team, averaging 7.0 ppg, 2.3 apg, in 16.1 mpg played in 64 games.

Calhoun advanced to the 2000 NJCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship game, losing to Southeastern Community College 84–70.

[19] John was inducted into the Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame in 2004[16] and currently lives in Auburn, Alabama with his wife, Xenia and their two kids, Xsuela and GianMarco.