Recruiting Report: Matthew Johnson (2019)
Intangibles are the opposite of physical characteristics: They are the qualities of a player that often go unnoticed by the untrained eye and are relatively difficult to keep track of. Intangibles is the best way to describe Class of 2019 6-foot-2 guard Matt Johnson of Fergus Falls.
Johnson help leaded Comets Stumpf squad to a 31-13 record. When Johnson is on the floor the Comets played their best basketball. The Comets won the NY2LA Association over R.E.A.C.H. Legends and finished second to the Omaha Crusaders in the Sanford Pentagon Tournament Series.
“This year went really well,” Johnson said. “I loved playing for Coach Stumpf and all the guys were great!
“Biggest take away would be never taking any possessions off on either end of the court. Also always being ready to go at the tip because everyone on the court is either as good or better than yourself.”
Johnson is now taking the necessary off-season training steps to get ready for his upperclassmen years.
“I’m always working on my dribbling. Getting a quicker release on my shot. Also improving my pull up and floater.”
Expectations are high in Fergus Falls again. Matt has helped take the Otters to the state tournament as their sixth man the last two seasons. Matt averaged eight points, 3.3 rebounds, and two assists while shooting 47 percent from three during his sophomore season.
Matt is looking forward to an expanded role for the Otters. With returning seniors Nate Rund and Harrison Christensen the Otters will be a team to watch in Class AAA.
“We bring back Nathan, Harrison, and myself,” Johnson said. “So we’ll be looking for some others to step up and make contributions. Just like every other year we hope to make another run at a section championship.
Johnson has heard from Jamestown, U of Mary, and SD School of Mines and was invited to Bemidji State, St Cloud State, and Jamestown’s Elite camps. Johnson is a 3.98 GPA kid which should of course make him even more valuable as a college recruit.
Who does Matt look up to as players? He told Prep Hoops as we finished up our conversation.
“My favorite current player is Devin Booker. Favorite former players are Kobe and Jason Kidd.”