Recruiting Report: Marquise Johnson (2017)
Marquise Johnson saw the seam and shifted into overdrive.
The 5-foot-11 2017 point guard had just collected an outlet pass in stride during the Colorado Stock Up Showcase in Westminster earlier this month. As he turned downhill near the midcourt line, two defenders with designs on stopping Johnson dropped inside the 3-point line.
But before those defenders could take the next couple of steps necessary to close off a path to the basket, Johnson had already sped through the small sliver of daylight he needed to reach the basket.
That kind of explosiveness is what makes Johnson an unsigned senior guard that any junior-college program in the area looking for an impact backcourt player should keep a close eye on. We saw time and again at the Showcase an ability displayed by Johnson to hit an extra gear and get himself to the basket.
Johnson showed attacking ability during his senior season while leading Vista Peak to a 20-5 record while averaging 13.1 points per game. His game, though, isn’t one-dimensional. He’s always had the athleticism to get to the bucket, but he added more playmaking elements this season 3.3 assists while also shooting 52.2 percent from the floor.
“I’ve improved on working within the team,” Johnson said, adding that he also strengthened his jump shot between his junior and senior seasons. “I would usually just get the ball and go coast-to-coast, but now I’m working through the team and being talkative.”
Johnson also has good defensive skills on the perimeter. He has a strong, compact frame and is tough on ball-handlers. He averaged nearly three steals per game this season. Johnson played for well-regarded high school coach in Gary Childress, whom Johnson credits for much of the growth he’s seen in his game.
“He’s just always been there through ups and downs and all that,” Johnson said. “I’ve learned a lot from him.”
Johnson said he also reinforced his passion for basketball during a memorable spring and summer last year with Team B.A.N.G., coached by his uncle, DeAundre Harris. He played on the team with his cousin, fellow Vista Peak standout Tre Early, and B.A.N.G. compiled strong performances, reaching the 17U semifinals of the Prep Hoops Spring Kick Off last spring, a tournament that featured Colorado’s very best club programs.
“Everybody we had on that team, we were all like family,” Johnson said. “We were all like family. We all got along and after every game we went to someone’s house and just hung out.”
Johnson said he has been recruited by Otero College and plans to visit its campus in La Junta in the near future. He said he is open to playing as an unsigned senior this spring in order to generate more interest if the opportunity is right.
One thing is for sure: Johnson has the tools to help a program.