Recruiting Update: Kyle Johnson (2018)
Kyle Johnson- 6’3 G/W
Madeira High School- Class of 2018
AAU Team: Ohio Crossover Athletics-Callahan
Floor/Ceiling: D-II/NAIA/JUCO
2016-17 Stats: 13.5ppg, 6.2rpg, 2.0bpg, 1.6spg
If you are a senior in the state of Ohio, then you were excited when Saturday morning rolled around. That is because that was the first day of practice for the last season of their high school careers. And for Madeira High School guard/wing Kyle Johnson, he has big expectations for the Mustangs squad this season. “One of our main goals is to make it to Columbus. If we make it we will be the first Madeira team” Johnson stated. And if Kyle continues the progressions that he made over the summer Madeira could be the D-III program representing Southwest Ohio in Columbus come March.
Playing for OCA-Callahan over the summer you could see the improvements that Kyle made that should carry over into the season. He was asked about these improvements during our interview on Saturday.
“I feel that made a big improvement in shooting the ball from three (33% in 2016-17) along with my ball-handling as well. I also made improvements in my post game as well while learning to make my moves much quicker.”
In watching him play over the summer the improvement in his ball-handling ability was noticeable. Multiple times Kyle received the ball at the top of the key with the court spread and use his handle and athleticism to get to the rim. And when you combine his improvement in his ball-handling with the fact he is one of the higher leapers in the city, it will make him a nightmare to defend.
But another area of the court where Kyle is effective at is around the free throw line. There he can use his quickness to get to the rim and finish while also being able to rise off the catch or off a few dribbles for pull-up jumpers. Johnson also mentioned a change of style for Madeira this year that should help his game. “One of our goals coming into the season is to play at a faster pace,” Kyle stated. “We played a lot of games in the 40’s last season. This season we would like to score in the 60’s and 70’s.” A faster style of play will help a player with Kyle athletic ability.
At the time of this interview Kyle had contact with University of Cumberlands (NAIA), Union College (NAIA) and Mount Vernon Nazarene (NAIA). In our interview he stated that he has a 2.95GPA and took the ACT and scored a 21, but he will be re-taking the ACT in December. Do not be surprised if Johnson has a Player of the Year type of season while helping lead Madeira deep into March.
***Stats courtesy of the Cincinnati Hills League website