What is Oregon getting in Isaac Johnson
In early November Isaac Johnson decided that he would return to his roots and commit to The University of Oregon. Isaac and his family are from Oregon. Isaac turned down the likes of Gonzaga, USC, Purdue, Utah and Brigham Young University to name a few.
What is the college projection of Isaac Johnson?
With a versital game because of his length and skill Isaac can play multiple positions, Isaac could come in his freshman year and play right away or develop with good minutes. It seems that Isaac will be going on a two year church mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Older brother Spencer Johnson who plays at Weber State University also went on a two year mission. Isaac would be back for the 2021 season. If Isaac decided to stay he would benefit from stud PG Peyton Prichard.
Through the years we have seen Isaac not only grow in stature but in his understanding of the game. He is basically a 6’11 guard who can turn, face and shoot over almost any defender in high school. Adjusting to play against players his size could be challenging but Isaac held his own in The Adidas Gauntlet with his Exum Elite Team who played against the best players his size.
The weight room will definitely help as Oregon has some of the best facilities in the country.
What changed about his game enabling his stock to rise over the last year?
Isaac has refined his guard skills this off-season, which truly lets him play more of a 3 than a four or five. The thing that stands out the most is his ability to be crafty with and without the basketball. He is cognoscente of when to pull up or keep backing a player in. He runs well up and down the court as well. The summer of Isaac’s sophomore year his high school team American Fork played against Clark High School, NV and he stood out on the court full of Division 1 talent (Trey Woodbury- UNLV, Greg Foster Jr- Gonzaga, Frankie Collins, Jalen Hill- Oklahoma, Trey Stewart-Utah Valley). He took the ball to the basket aggressively knowing that he would be met at the rim. Isaac didn’t force shots and he let the game come to him but also knew when to take over.
How do we rate the competition he faces in high school?
American Fork High School has produced the most Division 1 players in the state in the past 10 years. They usually play a loaded schedule and this year they step it up by playing the # 10 Wasatch Academy Tigers, UT. The Tigers are ranked 10th in the country and will be one of the few teams that will make AF look undersized as they are full of Division 1 players. American Fork has also played in the toughest region in the state of Utah which typically produces the 6A State Champion.
AF could’ve played in the Tarkanian Classic or another high profile tournament which would’ve made their schedule better, but they opted to play a handful of schools they should beat easily.
Previously American Fork has grossly underachieved, but seems to be turning the corner with their new head coach. Watching them learn to gel with new G Tanner Cuff and their new coach has been exciting as they shift gears.
Isaac should average 20 points per game with some spectacular highlights as they will be more uptempo this year. In Fact he scored 22 points in his opening game win against Layton High School a team they should beat.