By ADAM ZAGORIA
Johnny Juzang, the 6-foot-6 shooting guard from Harvard-Westlake (CA), committed to Kentucky on Friday, giving the Wildcats the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, according to 247Sports.com.
Ranked the No. 32 prospect in 2019, per 247, Juzang also considered Kansas, Oregon and Virginia. He recently reclassified to 2019 from 2020.
“I’m going to Kentucky,” Juzang told 247. “I guess I felt like Kentucky has an environment where I’ll be challenged day in and day out. Not that I wouldn’t find that at other programs. It’s an environment where I have to fight and I think I’ll come out a lot tougher and that’s big for me.”
“At the same time, the place is an incredible stage and platform and they have an incredible coach,” he added. “It’s a big time program with big time fans. It fits into my dreams and goals. It’s a special place.”
Juzang recently took an official visit to Kentucky, and the Wildcats have remained the favorites since. He can slot in to the slot vacated by Tyler Herro, who declared for the NBA Draft.
“He could be the best shooter in the country with a scoring package at all three levels,” said Etop Udo-Ema of the Compton Magic.
“Johnny is probably one of the more efficient shooters that I have seen,” said USA Basketball youth coach Don Showalter. “He has good range and he can shoot the ball off the dribble and gets to the rim to finish as well. His defense and ball handling has continued to improve to make him a very skilled player.”
Juzang joins a 2019 recruiting class that includes point guard Tyrese Maxey and wings Dontaie Allen, Keion Brooks and Kahlil Whitney.
“I feel like I can score and I’ll be a gritty defender,” Juzang told 247. “I really just see myself coming in as a player and being a great teammate and just wanting to win. I guess where I fit in is playing guard and pushing up the floor and playing on and off the ball and space for the floor.
Johnny Juzang, a Top-30 Prospect, has committed to Kentucky.
The 6-6 SF now gives Kentucky the #1 Ranked Recruiting Class. @JohnnyJuzang @dontaieallen11 @KeionB_12 @TyreseMaxey @KahlilWhitney pic.twitter.com/XBc0Gndvvl
— TIPTON EDITS ? (@TiptonEdits) May 10, 2019
Kentucky also remains in the mix for point guard R.J. Hampton, who is also considering Memphis, Kansas and Texas Tech, and small forward Jaden McDaniels, who is also considering Washington. Neither has set an announcement date.
Kentucky has two forwards testing the NBA Draft waters who could still return to campus in freshman E.J. Montgomery and junior Nick Richards.
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