There is a lot of rumor and speculation out there about much-traveled power forward Karron Johnson, but his mentor, James Black, said the 6-foot-8 Johnson will sign with Oklahoma State this fall.
“He’s definitely going to Oklahoma State,” Black, pictured here with Johnson, said Monday by phone. “Karron’s set to sign this November at Oklahoma State. He’s going to do an early signing.”
Johnson, 20, initially committed to Oklahoma State and then decommitted and was recruited by other schools, including West Virginia.
Last year he was named the NJCAA Region 16 Player of the Year at Moberly (Mo.) Area Community College after averaging 22 points and 7.9 rebounds.
Now he’s at Midland (Texas) College.
“Karron feels like when he was going through his trials and tribulations the only people that stuck with him through everything were Travis Ford and Butch Pierre,” Black said, referring to the Cowboys’ head coach and assistant. “They never gave up on him. He feels he needs to be loyal to them.”
Johnson has two years of Division 1 eligibility, but Black believes Johnson is so good that he could end up spending just one season at Oklahoma State before possibly going pro.
“Most likely he’ll only do one year at Oklahoma State,” Black said. “Karron’s going to be one of the premier players in college next year.”
Black said Johnson was also working hard in the class room and on his maturity to get things together.
“He has been working really hard on and off the court,” Black said. “He has really grown up.”
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