Recruiting Report: Nathan Johnson (2018)

While nagging injuries have held Waukee's Nathan Johnson back the past several months, he's now back to 100 percent, and ready to show he’s one of the state’s most talented prospects. Iowa’s 7th-ranked 2018, Johnson has been generating Division I interest for over a year now, but after withholding himself from July’s live period this past summer, he was unable to capitalize on the hottest recruiting period of the summer. Still, the bouncy 6-foot-6 wing was able to peak the interest of several D1 schools during a spring stint with the Iowa Barnstormers 17U, from programs all over the country. “Not being able to play in July was big, that hurt a lot. But I’ve gotten a lot of interest from schools all over the country. Long Beach State and Florida Gulf Coast have been in contact with my coach about me. UTEP and Texas State said they are coming out to see me," said Johnson.  "A lot of good D1 schools have been in contact with me. So recruiting is going pretty well, I would say. Cornell and Northwest Louisiana State have been reaching out a lot lately, too."  He added: “Since I didn't get to play in July, I just need to go and have a really strong senior year. And I think things will shape up really well.” Playing with a shoe circuit team (‘Stormers play on the adidas Gauntlet) certainly has it’s advantages. And after playing in tourneys all over the country during the sporing, Johnson was able to pick up that wide-range of D1 interest. “Texas State watched me down in Spartanburg (South Carolina) with the Barnstormers and liked what they saw," said Johnson. “And I think most of them have just seen me a little bit here and there, and hopefully they come back this high school season and watch me again.” Johnson did pick up an Air Force offer two summer’s ago while playing with Kingdom Hoops Elite 16U. But the Falcons offered more spots than they had available, and Johnson’s spot was filled. “I have not visited there, and they filled their spots, so it's kind of a weird situation. So, if something were to open up, I’d have that spot again,” said Johnson. “They had a couple guys commit, so I just didn't have a spot anymore.” And now, especially since he was unable to play this past July, Johnson’s senior season becomes even more critical for his recruitment. “I’m definitely excited because I’m finally 100 percent healthy, and I haven't had any problems,” he said. “What I’ve been doing now that I’m healthy is working on my shot, creating space, moves to the hoop, finishing, I’m starting to get back into those kinds of things.” With Waukee having one of the more talented rosters in Iowa, Johnson says the goal is a state title, and it’ll be his job to lead them. “I’ll definitely take on that role of being a team leader, we’re expecting big things and have big goals for this team. We have a lot of talent; we’re big, have good guards, and are all-around solid,” said Johnson. “We should have a really, really strong year ahead of us. I think we’re the best team in the state, and we just have to go and prove that every game.”