Two new recruits to the WAC

Fresno State and Utah State have recently added to their respective rosters.

We thought Steve Cleveland would go big -- center or power forward -- with his last scholarship but obviously determined the talent pool of unsigned players of size who had interest in Fresno State wasn't to his liking so he signed a forward who possesses promise, a fine bloodline and is a top student.

Johnson Lands Division I Scholarship
June 9, 2008
NewEnglandRecruitingReport.com

After a long and injury prone season at Brewster Academy, Justin Johnson has finally achieved his goal of earning a division I scholarship.

Justin Johnson has good size at 6’8”, an above average skill set, and impressive athleticism. He is versatile enough to play as either a face-up four or a small forward. He also comes from good pedigree being the son of former NBA sharp-shooter Eddie Johnson.

Nevertheless, the talented forward didn’t have too many suitors at the division I level for most of this season. After struggling with some injuries throughout the year, he never really got the opportunity to show college coaches what he was capable of. In fact, it was just a short time ago that he was seriously considering some opportunities as a recruited walk-on.

But as the old saying goes…good things come to those who wait. And this weekend when Johnson committed to Fresno State, he finally earned the scholarship that he had longed for..."

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Here's a description of Johnson's game, confounding as it is:

"...Long arms and live bouncy legs. Can get up with quickness and speed. Ball skills are adequate but need improvement to play at a high level on the wing. Has great stroke from 3 and can create own shot off the dribble. Strength and upper body size are his weakness right now but with an added muscle and continued ball skill development could be a HM prospect. Attacks the glass with aggression..."

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Here's a little more just prior to Johnson heading east to Brewster Prep:

"...We decided to give him another year to develop his body and game at the prep school level," said father and Phoenix Sun's television analyst Eddie Johnson. "The added 14 months and becoming a 2008 recruit will allow him to compete right away when he reaches the collegiate level."

At 6-foot-7 and weighing 195 pounds, Johnson has a 72 inch wing span, making him a very long and athletic wing forward...."

"...Johnson currently is a very good perimeter shooter, with a developing mid-range game. As he continues to improve his handle and range on his jump shot..."

"...Johnson plans to major in business or computer science in college and is an outstanding student with a 4.0 GPA..."

AND

Thanks to buddy Jed Tai, Mr. Basketball in the Northwest, Utah State adds a Prop. 48 kid for the future. But we do have one question: how is this young man going to afford out-of-state tuition?

Jed Tai
WashingtonPreps.com

Academics won't allow Terrell Mack to play college basketball next season, but that doesn't mean that the athletic 6-foot-4, 185-pound swingman from Fort Vancouver High School hasn't found a Division I home. Mack is working on his game this summer, playing with the I-5 Elite program, preparing himself for a debut in the Western Athletic Conference two seasons from now after making a verbal commitment.

"I'm going to Prop 48 at Utah State," Mack said. "I've been talking to them and they were the only ones that kept up with me after seeing my grades, so I decided to stick with them too. I like how they play - they run and gun - and their assistant coach, Coach [James] Ware, is pretty good too..."

(Our note: apparently the kid doesn't know James Ware has moved to Santa Clara)