Recruiting Report: Xavier Johnson (2016)
Update from 11/6/15 by Alex Conover Hopkins senior Xavier Johnson made a comment during our conversation that signified what the expectations are at his school. “This has to be a big year for me and also for Hopkins,” he said.…
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Continue ReadingUpdate from 11/6/15 by Alex Conover
Hopkins senior Xavier Johnson made a comment during our conversation that signified what the expectations are at his school.
“This has to be a big year for me and also for Hopkins,” he said. “It's been a while since we won a state championship, it’s time to bring one back to the ‘Hop.’”
‘It’s been a while’? They just won a three-peat in ‘09, ‘10 and ‘11!
“Well, it’s been too long for us,” he said. That pretty much says it all. Hopkins is an annually loaded team with five state titles since 2005. They’re a must-see every year for D1 coaches, and their younger levels always have talent.
Last year was hindered by Amir Coffey’s untimely ACL tear, although John Warren stepped up in a major way in his place. This year, Coffey is back and more confident and stronger than ever. X is ready to join him as a scoring spark and a senior leader.
“My role this year is more of a scoring PG,” he said. “I was told that I needed to facilitate more and be able to get people shots… that will create more opportunities for others and myself. I feel as if we have one of those rare connections and chemistry on and off the court that just makes me think that we can do something special.”
As far as recruiting, X says he has coaches contacting him to try and arrange visits. His goal is to make a big enough impact this season to garner a few offers. He’s been hearing from Dickinson State, Beloit, UW-Superior, Appalachian State, Northland and Viterbo, and you never know what else may come as coaches show up to watch the Hopkins show.
Although several teams have a good shot at winning Class AAA, NHR sees Hopkins and Apple Valley as the top two.
Update from 5/13/15 by Alex Conover
It was great to see Hopkins 2016 guard Xavier Johnson back out on the court with Phenom at the Comets Shootout after being out for a while with a back injury. He took the recovery very seriously, and he’s working as hard as he can to prepare his body for an even better senior season.
“I'm not going to play a lot of (grassroots ball) this year,” Johnson said. “I've just committed to making myself better. So I’m lifting, training and conditioning all summer so we can have a dominant senior year.”
Along with his training schedule, Johnson will be attending several high-caliber camps, including one at his very favorite program.
“I'll actually be at a lot of college summer camps this summer… I currently have seven that I'm attending. The plan is to attend U of Virginia, Baylor, Syracuse, a Midwest school, although I haven't decided which one. Also a few Nike skills camps and guard skills camps.
“My highlight of the summer will be going to the University of Kentucky camp… I went last year, and I can't wait to go again. There’s a mix of high-level recruits as well as just fans or city kids… Last year there were three or four kids who Kentucky had offered, and it was great to play with and against them. They live and breathe basketball in Lexington.”
Johnson has heard from University of Chicago, Carthage, Viterbo, Augustana, NDSU, North Carolina Central, Colgate, and Winona State.