Findlay Prep guard Nick Johnson verbally committed to Arizona after an unofficial visit Wednesday.
“I just felt like it was the right pick for me,” Johnson said by text. “I had the best relationship with the coaches there. And I feel with the players and staff there they can develop me the best and get me to the NBA.”
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Johnson also considered Arizona State, Louisville and Kansas.
An Arizona native, Johnson averaged 14.2 points and 3.6 assists last year at Findlay, which won its second straight ESPN Rise National High School Invitational. He is ranked the No. 13 shooting guard in the Class of 2011, but can play both guard positions well.
“He’s super athletic,” Findlay Prep coach Michael Peck said. “One thing I think people don’t know is he he has a very high basketball IQ. He’s a very intelligent player who understands very quickly. You don’t have to spell things out. He understands nuances and has a good feel for the game. I think that’s gonna help him make the transition easily.”
This summer he led the Drew Gooden Soldiers to wins at the Fab 48 tournament in Las Vegas and at the Pumps event in Anaheim, Calif.
Wherever Johnson and the Soldiers went last month, a slew of high-profile head coaches followed.
Johnson’s father, Joey, played at Arizona State. His uncle was the late Dennis Johnson, who played for the Boston Celtics, among other teams.
Arizona, which already has 6-9 Harlem native Sidiki Johnson in the fold, has two scholarships left and is targeting Quinn Cook, Amir Williams, Josiah Turner and Norvel Pelle.
HARKLESS SETS UNOFFICIALS
Maurice Harkless, a 6-8 wing from Queens, will visit St. Johns (Sept. 2), Rutgers (Sept. 4) and Maryland (Sept. 5) unofficially.
He will then take an official to Oregon Sept. 17.
Harkless opted to switch his first official to Oregon from Maryland.
He is also considering Florida State, Florida, Cincinnati and Arizona.
(Photo courtesy Tucson Citizen)
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JessieWildcat / August 18, 2010
AZ,
If Q. Cook makes his decision to be an Arizona Wildcat….
Then,
This could be the BEST Freshman backcourt in the nation.
Cook plus Turner…..wow.
Note;
Sidiki and Cook should get to know eachother with coach smith.
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JessieWildcat / August 18, 2010
Cook or Turner plus Nick J…Best Backcourt or not??
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Cat in the Desert / August 19, 2010
Relax jessie, it would be one of the best backcourts, i’m not sure it would be the best. And talking about Cook/Turner/Carson committing is a little premature. Yes its exciting and very positive direction were going but lets take this one step at a time.
PS. Rest of the posters, I know JW is a douch, but bag on him not the program. He likes to spew his fantasies on us. I mean we all think of the possibilites we just don’t post them. Thanks
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HoopsAddict / August 19, 2010
Good pickup for Arizona, as Johnson should be in Tucson for at least two years. The Pac 10 needs an infusion of talent in the worst way, and the best way to make that happen, is to ensure the best players on the West coast remain in the Pac 10. As for Cook, everything that I’ve heard is that he is holding out hope that Carolina offers, but I think Roy is being hesistant because he offered Marshall early, only to see Kyrie Irving blow up and become the better player/prospect, and to run salt in the wound, sign with the enemy: Duke. Carolina is looking at LJ Rose in 2012, and I think Cook goes elsewhere.
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UAWildcat / August 19, 2010
Not surprised he committed to UA just the timing. I look forward to seeing Johnson & Johnson run the PAC 12 next year. I also was wondering if anyone here goes to Vegas for March Madness. The place I have watched the last 8 tourneys has closed and need another place in Vegas. Thanks
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JessieWildcat / August 19, 2010
Cat in the Desert,
YOU are new here. So spend some time reading the important things. And learn how to understand the message. start with usc trojan..lol.
I do like Cook+J+J and one.
Will Cook go west??
Four Recruits.
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finnmaccoul / August 20, 2010
I don’t know about Cook coming to Tucson. We may end up with Carson, which wouldn’t suck. UAWildcat… last year we hit the Imperial Palace’s book. MGM Grand and Flamingo aren’t bad either. Some places you have to camp out at.
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UAWildcat / August 20, 2010
Thanks Finnmaccoul I had to camp out at espnzone too.
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PaulSmenis / August 21, 2010
UA Wildcat, I live in Vegas. Your best bet (if you have a car to get around or $$ to blow on cabs) is to hit a locals sportsbook. Two I highly recommend are Green Valley Ranch Station and Red Rock Station. I have been to GVR Station every year for the past 7 years or so for the first two days of March Madness and will continue to be there every year I am able to go.
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