By JACOB POLACHECK
Jeremiah Johnson is considered one of the top point guard prospects in the Class of 2023 and the offers are continuing to pile in.
“The attention is definitely coming more and more,” he said in a phone interview Thursday. “I really try and not let it get to my head. I just try to keep working and playing like I’m not ranked.”
Ranked by 247Sports.com as the No. 5 point guard and No. 16 overall prospect in the Class of 2023, Johnson describes himself as a “pass-first point guard”.
“Mainly, I like getting my teammates involved first before it’s time for me to turn it up on the offensive side,” he said. “But when it’s time to score, I can score.”
The 6-foot-2 point guard from Putnam City North (OK) High School, picked up his most recent offer from Texas on Thursday.
“I’ve really been watching them a lot this season,” Johnson said of the Longhorns. “They just got a big win over North Carolina which was very impressive. I know they have Matt Coleman and Greg Brown. I’ve been watching them, seeing how their play style is and so far I’m loving it.”
Johnson also holds offers from Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Illinois.
He broke down each school:
Oklahoma State: “They’ve been talking to my dad a lot, once or twice a week, checking up on me. They could see me coming in 2023 and leading them to a national championship.”
Oklahoma: “OU has really been doing the same thing. They’ve been checking up on me. They really hope I can come in out of high school and lead them to a national championship.”
Illinois: “They like my game and feel like I could lead them to a national championship, too. They’ve been keeping in touch with my dad.”
Johnson is also receiving interest from Kansas, Texas Tech and Tulsa, among others.
“The deciding factors down the line are what school fits the best for me and what school I think I can play my game at and win,” he said. “I also want a coaching staff that’s going to push me and help me become a better basketball player and person.”
Last season, Johnson averaged 15.7 points and 3.5 assists per game as a freshman, leading Putnam City North to a 14-10 overall record.
This season, Johnson has even higher aspirations.
“As a team, I expect us to go 32-0, win a state championship and really just show everybody that we’re state champions this year,” he said. “Individually, I’m still trying to average 30 points per game and lead my team in assists while helping to contribute with offensive and defensive rebounds.”
“I’m also trying to get Gatorade Player of the Year.”
Even with his high goals, Johnson is remaining humble.
“Being at the level I am, I don’t go around boosting myself or thinking I’m the top of the top,” he said. “I still act like a regular kid and do the same things that everyone else does.”
Photo: @ShotByCraig
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