One of the hottest prospects in the month of July was Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep guard Nick Johnson.
Johnson led the Drew Gooden Soldiers to wins at the Fab 48 tournament in Las Vegas and at the Pumps event in Anaheim, Calif. He is ranked the No. 13 shooting guard in the Class of 2011, but can play both guard positions well.
Wherever Johnson and the Soldiers went last month, a slew of high-profile head coaches followed.
Now, Johnson is narrowing his list and a decision is coming closer.
An Arizona native, Johnson will take unofficials to Arizona and Arizona State followed by officials to Louisville and Kansas.
And he could make a decision soon after.
“Right now I’ve got some unofficials and some officials,” he said Friday night by phone after scoring 22 points in USA West’s 112-108 loss to France in the Nike Global Challenge in Portland, Ore.
“I’ve got an unofficial to ASU next weekend,” Johnson added. “I’m scheduling one with U of A sometime in August.”
In September, Johnson has two officials in mind.
“I take my first official to Louisville Sept. 10,” Johnson said.
(His Soldiers teammate Josiah Turner visits Louisville the weekend before, Sept. 4).
After Louisville, Johnson wants to visit Kansas.
“Then I’m also going to take an official to Kansas, maybe the weekend after (Sept. 17),” he said.
Johnson is uncertain what will happen after that.
“I just want to take one this weekend and see what’s going on with the rest,” he said. “Maybe set a few more. If not, these could be my final four.”
Asked when he might decide, Johnson said, “Maybe mid- to late-September.”
Wherever he lands, Johnson could have a tremendous future based on his summer performance.
“I want to be an impact player my freshman year coming in,” he said. “I think I could handle the ball and run the team pretty good.”
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JessieWildcat / August 8, 2010
Will NICK go to Kansas Gangster U?
IS Turner and NICK becoming a package deal.
To Kansass or ARIZONA.
Does Kansas even have a change….?
After that RETIREMENT of LEW….many bad things happen in Kansass.
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NIK / August 8, 2010
JesseWildcat is a UA fan and calling another school “Gangster U”? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black…Hello, Gilbert Arenas anyone?
Also, since you won’t shut up about Kentucky. Isn’t it UA that just lost multiple scholarships, forfeited an entire season of wins, and is on probation for their illegal recruiting tactics. Doesn’t make the Kentucky situation more right or wrong, but you really aren’t the one that should be commenting on it. Maybe you should focus your efforts in cleaning your own diaper instead of worrying about someone else’s. Oh and Jessie, your team is freaking horrible despite all of the cheating.
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brocklanders1979 / August 8, 2010
Nik, While I’ve never posted here before, the last time I checked, Jessie is fan, the same as you. That being said, I would like to thank you for your stupid response. Why are some fans, such as yourself (apparently from your post), so delusional that they feel their connection to a team is so strong that they can actually change the course of the program?
Nik said, “Maybe you should focus your efforts in cleaning your own diaper instead of worrying about someone else’s.” Perhaps if College Basketball was World of Warcraft, and you could drop a mean “Learooooooooooooooy Jeeeeeeeeeenkins” move, your comment might make someone stand back and say, “Gee, this Nik guy has all the pieces put together.”
While your curled up in your bunker with your Glenn Beck books, do your best to fight off the random delusional thoughts and remember the name Derrick Williams, because he, along with other talented youngsters are actually in position where they can change the face of a program.
Thats it … I probably wont post here again. I was just compelled to respond to your delightfully insightful post.
Again, thanks for your contribution!
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RockChalkWoody / August 8, 2010
Ah, yes, Jessie back with his usual childish “Gangster U” crap. FYI I wouldn’t start making predictions if I were you…does the “Three Amigos” ring a bell?
Jessie, for your sake I sure hope Miller uses those official visits wisely–since he lost half of them. Oh, and sorry about the streak. It was about time the NCAA stepped up & decided it was stupid to count a vacated tourney appearance in the total. Bummer.
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NIK / August 9, 2010
No thanks for your contribution “Brock”. Your post says absolutely nothing other than you too are some delusional Az hack like Jesse. Remember the name Derrick Williams? Ironically enough if it weren’t for Tim Floyd getting caught paying OJ Mayo red handed, like your boy Jessie here is wetting himself over Kentucky doing, he wouldn’t even be at Az. In fact, he may have become a complete player instead of a one trick pony at Az and be on an NBA roster right now. Still remember that big goofy white boy from Lipscomb making Williams his bitch last year. “Talented youngsters”? Who other than Williams? Kreel, Lavender, Parrom and Momo (speaking of “Gangsters”)? Don’t make me laugh. Az will be lucky to finish in the top half of the pac next season. I’m sure the nation is scared to death of what Az hoops will soon become.
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Cat in the Desert / August 9, 2010
Ok, first off, we know Jessie is a UA “fan”, but we all ignore him and don’t take him seriously. He’s always talking crap about KU and UK, two of the most histories basketball programs out there. That said, if you believe DWill would of been better at USC then your just not to bright. Miller is an excelent coach with great track record. Just look at what he was able to do at Xavier bringing in less talented kids than he will at UA. I know he hasn’t brought in that one and done change the face of the program guy in yet, but thats because he looks for players that fit his style on and off the court. Lance Stephenson was wetting himself to play for Miller last year, but he knew he was a headcase so he didn’t pursue. Also if you don’t think AZ has young talent with bright futures, you got to follow more closely. Last year with 5 middle of the pack freshman, he was able to be in the top 4 of the Pac, and be a game over five hundred. Thats pretty good if you ask me. Nothing is sure yet, but time will tell. Nick Johnson has said several times that UA is his favorite, but lets see Miller seal the deal on him. To be able to get a good measure on Miller we have to wait till his fourth year, once he gets to start from ground zero with recruits, also he’s “handicapped” with what UA is going through right now. Future is bright in AZ! I know not as bright as KU or UK right now, but thats where were trying to get.
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RockChalkWoody / August 9, 2010
Cat in the Desert, I appreciate your post. It sure looks like Johnson will stay close to home and I’m not even sure if KU has really even offered. Good luck w/ him–you guys need to try & keep the local talent in state (if possible).
As for Jessie, just because we know he is a tool doesn’t mean he can just come here and get by w/ rambling incoherently about other programs. First of all, he doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about. And secondly, as a UA fan, he’s in no position to be questioning the integrity of any other program.
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Michael / August 9, 2010
Fair points Woody. But most of you know by now not to attack Arizona every time Jessie pops off, because really it is a Jessie thing, not an Arizona thing.
Nik, you are clueless. There is no question Miller has this team and program headed in the right direction, and any rational, educated, unbiased, objective fan (i.e. not you) would agree with that statement. Arizona had the third youngest team in the NCAA last year and a brand new coach, so I am not going to go off of one year. All you Arizona haters, get your licks in now because Miller will have them contending annually within a year or two.
The penalties won’t have a huge effect and quite honestly I am just relieved the investigation is over.
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