Prospect Spotlight: Patrick Johnson 2021
The past year and half has put a lot of pressure on the class of 2021 as uncertainties surrounding the high school basketball regular season, NCAA players receiving extra years of eligibility, and a pushed back live period, have made…
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Continue ReadingThe past year and half has put a lot of pressure on the class of 2021 as uncertainties surrounding the high school basketball regular season, NCAA players receiving extra years of eligibility, and a pushed back live period, have made it that much more difficult for outgoing seniors hoping to get that elusive college basketball offer.
A few of these seniors have opted to go the post graduate route and attend a prep school for a year after their senior year in high school in hopes of being able to fine tune their game and be able to put themselves on the radar of college coaches.
That is the route that Patrick Johnson has decided to take. A senior guard at Compton High School, Johnson will be making the trek across the country next season and playing for Olympus Prep in New Jersey as part of their post grad program. With that decision, he hopes he might be able to pick up a Division 1 offer.
“I heard from some JuCo’s and some D2’s, but no D1’s yet,” Johson told Prep Hoops. “It was probably my best option as far as furthering my game.”
This past season, Johnson helped lead Compton to a virtual tie for first place in the Moore League alongside Long Beach Poly with an 11-1 record. Compton also beat Long Beach Poly for the first time on the road since 2008 in which Johnson had 20 points.
Johnson was named the Moore League Player of the Year, and he helped Compton cruise past Temecula in the first round of CIF playoffs before falling to Fountain Valley in a close game in the second round. Compton only played with seven players the entire season, and Johnson was proud of what he and his teammates were able to accomplish.
“We played hard every single game and I played to the best of my abilities and did everything I could,” Johnson said. “The coaches voted for me and I feel so appreciative that they even looked at me as the Moore League MVP. I put in the work.”
Johnson recently played with LA Rockfish at Pangos Sweet 16 and helped lead the team to the 17u championship in their division over Elev8Hoopz Elite. Throughout the event, Johnson showed off his ability to play both guard positions and his defensive ability.
He’s quick off the dribble and can slash to the rim and finish strong. He’s strong in transition and knows when to make the right pass. As the ball-handler, he can handle defensive pressure. On the defensive end, he stays low, slides his feet well, and keeps his arms out. He plays tough, on-ball defense. During this past live period, Johnson hopes that his play translated well in front of the college coaches in attendance.
“I just want to get some more experience and some more exposure,” Johnson said. “Whatever role I play on my team, I’m just going to play it to the best of my abilities. I’m here to win and get more looks for everybody. The more you win, the more looks you get. That’s my goal.”
While Johnson has the ability to play both point guard and shooting guard, it’s playing the two guard spot that he wants to improve upon. He a steady hand at the point, capable of quarterbacking a team’s offense, but he acknowledges that he can be a little passive at times.
He’s a talented scorer as well and that’s something he’d like to showcase a little more along with his increased defensive ability.
“I feel like I could look to score a little bit more instead of being so passive,” Johnson said. “And I’ve been picking up full court lately, so I want to keep getting in shape and keeping picking up full court.”
And ultimately his goal before heading off to New Jersey is to attract the eyes of Division 1 schools.
“I hope to get a D1 school looking at me,” Johnson said. “That’s really my goal.”