Recruiting Report: Matthew Johnson (2018)
Fergus Falls guard Matthew Johnson is beloved by his coaches and teammates for his toughness and relentless effort game by game. College programs like him to as he enters the final month of his Minnesota Comets career.
In three years of varsity basketball the Otters teams that Johnson has been on have a combined 77-16 record. Matt scored 15 points a game this past winter playing with Nathan Rund and Harrison Christensen but both of those players have moved on. Things will look different next year but Matt is confident his senior year will go well, especially considering the work he’s putting in to improve.
We only have a couple of returns from last year’s team, but we have a lot of young guys that love to get in the gym and work, ” Johnson said. “Before my senior year I’m working to improve my ball handling and pull up jumpshot as well as getting a quicker release on my threes.”
Johnson will be in action this weekend with the Minnesota Comets at the Great Plains Alliance event. The Comets have suffered some injuries and losses this year but have four events ahead of them looking to turn finish strong.
“So far this AAU season it’s just been a great time playing and hanging out with the guys,” Johnson explained. We haven’t had one tournament where everyone has been able to make. This summer our goal would to be to defend our NY2LA Title, compete, win games and enjoy our last run in AAU Ball”
Another likely goal of Matt and others is to prepare for the next level by playing top competition. Several schools will be on the baseline watching Johnson and his teammates in June and July.
“U of Mary, Jamestown, and South Dakota School of Mines who have all offered. Ive been in contact with St Cloud State, SMSU, Bemidji State, and St. John’s. I have no visits planned yet. I have gone to SMSU and SCSU camps.”
The latest offer was from the University of Mary from the NSIC.
“Coach (Joe) Kittell is a great guy and I really like what he’s been doing out there,” Johnson said. “I believe they’ll keep improving and start winning some more games in the next few years!”