Louisville Recruiting

CATCHING UP WITH NOEL JOHNSON

Georgia small forward plays well and learns alot during key month of July

These days, life for a college basketball prospect in the summer months can be quite a jet-setting adventure. This past summer was no exception for Noel Johnson, a 6-foot-7 small forward from Fayette County (GA). As a member of the highly successful Atlanta Celtics AAU program, Johnson jetted from Akron (OH) for the Lebron James Skills Academy to the Team Breakdown Hoops Festival in Miami, to Las Vegas for the Adidas 64 and finishing up in Las Angeles for the Adidas Best of Summer event. Along the way Johnson has experiences that will last forever and has seen two schools step up their pursuit of him on the recruiting trail.

The month of July began for Noel Johnson with a trip to Akron (OH) where he participated in the Lebron James Skills Academy. According to Doug Ferguson of the NBE Basketball Report, Johnson was among the Top Players of the LJSA where he displayed his strong perimeter game and also showed he could be productive scoring by taking it to the basket. He used his length and athletic ability to get his shot off on the offensive end of the floor and to his advantage when on defense.

“The LeBron James Skills Academy was excellent this year,” Johnson said. “I wish I could go back next year. The biggest thing I’ll take away from the camp was how precise and sharp your moves will have to be for the next level.”

It is not surprising that Johnson picked up on some subtleties to improve his game. His high school coach, Andre Flynn at Fayette County High School, raved about Johnson’s ability to pick up on the mental aspect of basketball. “The thing that sticks out with Noel is his basketball I.Q. and how fundamentally sound he is,” Flynn said.

One lucky college will get a player that can score the ball and will look to improve. After his busy July, Noel is looking forward to taking some time to relax, but he is already thinking of preparing for his senior season of high school as well as getting physically stronger, which will help him even more at the next level.

Coach Flynn believes Johnson will be well prepared for the life of a college athlete, both on and off the court.

“Noel will bring a very skilled and fundamentally sound basketball game to the college level as well as great character,” Flynn remarked. “Noel is a very good student (with a) B-plus average taking a demanding schedule and is able to handle the athletic and work load very well.”

Prior to the open evaluation period of July, Johnson told the NBE Basketball Report that schools such as Louisville, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest were in contact often. Now, two other schools seem to be making sure they know how much they like his game.

“USC and UCLA are recruiting me the hardest lately,” Johnson said. “I’m going to USC in September and probably UCLA after that.”

No matter where Johnson ends up in college, expect him to make an informed decision as he has a family that will be very involved in the process. His father has been through it himself as Lynbert ‘Cheese’ Johnson, a former star at Wichita State who accumulated over 1,900 points and 1,000 rebounds, is there to guide him, along with his Mom and coach.

For now, Johnson does not seem to be closing in on a decision as there is no leader in his recruitment. Wherever he lands, he will be one to keep an eye on in the future.

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