Recruiting Report: David Johnson (2019)
We are on the tail end of summer basketball and around the country, college prospects at all levels are working on their game and working toward earning an opportunity to play at the next level. Prep Hoops Kentucky puts the spotlight on prospects around the Bluegrass State.
David Johnson is the most high profile recruit in Kentucky in several years. Guys like Raymond Spalding, Eli Wright, Quentin Goodin and Aric Holman all ended their prep careers with national rankings but none were ranked as high as Johnson already is. Checking in at #29 in the Scout.com rankings and coming off of a summer tryout with Team USA, David currently sits as the #4 PG in the 2019 class and holds high major offers before the start of his Junior season at Trinity High School. After a strong AAU season with the 16u Louisville Magic, Johnson is already looking ahead to a potential state championship with the Shamrocks. He plans to avenge a surprising loss to Ballard in last year’s regional tournament. I recently got a chance to talk with David about his AAU season, recruiting and what lies ahead for his basketball career.
PHKY: Describe your game. What do you do best? What are you working to improve? Do you model your game after anyone?
DJ: I’m a point guard first and am good at getting my teammates the ball in spots to score. I’m working to improve my strength and get more explosive. I try to model my game after CJ McCollum.
PHKY: What was it like to be part of the Team USA trials in Colorado? Had you faced that level of competition before?
Photo Courtesy USA BasketballDJ: Playing with Team USA was a really good experience. Just being recognized as one of the top players in the country was an honor. I think I did well for that being my first time playing against that caliber competition.
PHKY: Recap your AAU season. Were you happy with how you played?
DJ: I think I played pretty good but there were some things that could’ve been a little more sharp.
PHKY: You got high major offers from Louisville, Xavier and Cincinnati in April. What other schools have been in contact?
DJ: I’ve heard from Kentucky (David visited Rupp Arena for a game last season), Kansas, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio State, Arizona State, Butler, Dayton, NC State and Virginia.
PHKY: What are you looking for in a college?
DJ: I’m looking for a school that fits me athletically and academically.
PHKY: What are your goals for the upcoming HS season?
DJ: I want to shoot for an undefeated record, even with a tough schedule and I want to win a state championship.
Johnson only averaged a modest 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game for Trinity last season but really took off during his 16u AAU season. He was also very impressive playing summer ball alongside 2020 stud Justin Powell. He’s often mentioned as an early favorite for 2019 Mr. Basketball. But through all the accolades, honors and scholarship offers, David manages to stay a humble young man. I’ve never heard a negative thing about him on or off the floor. He’s usually sporting a big smile and never turns down an autograph or picture request from a fan.
David Johnson is one of the few kids I’ve evaluated from Kentucky whom I think will make it as a professional basketball player one day. According to some coaches I talked to, the knock on Johnson coming out of July AAU is that he sometimes “coasted too much in games” and “didn’t dominate his age group”. Between summer ball with Trinity, Team USA tryouts and the grind that is July AAU, it’s easy to get worn down and coast on natural ability. The thing that separates pros from everyone else is that they don’t coast. Being a 6’5″ PG with great athleticism and impressive skill level will undoubtedly carry David Johnson to the highest levels of college basketball. If and when David reaches his potential, I think he can hear his name called on draft night. For the next two years, get out and see Johnson play. Just hope he’s not playing against your favorite team and get your popcorn ready, he’s likely to put on a show.