Johnson Is Extremely Interested In OU

Austin Johnson has seen the number of high major schools involved in his recruitment steadily increase throughout the month of July because of his solid play during the AAU summer circuit. The 6-foot-3, 170-pound combo guard from Palo Duro High School in Amarillo, Texas., is wide open when it comes to his recruitment, but one school is definitely making a strong push to the top of Johnson’s list.

“I would say that Oklahoma is definitely one of my top three schools and pretty much the top school on my list,” Johnson said. “I spoke to Coach (Kelvin) Sampson last week before I left for a tournament in Kansas City. When Coach Sampson and Coach Hoffman come to my house for an in-home visit, they want me to schedule an official visit to Oklahoma.

“I have been down to the campus before, but the coaching staff wants me to come down for the weekend,” he added. “The staff also said that they wanted me to come down when the football team is playing, so that is something I will do.”

There was a time when it looked like Arizona was going to become seriously involved in Johnson’s recruitment, but that has not happened as of yet. The No. 45 ranked player in the class of 2005 is definitely interested in playing for Lute Olson and the Wildcats, but that might not be an option.

“Arizona called me after I got home from Indianapolis, but they have not offered me a scholarship yet,” Johnson said. “Arizona is a school that I really like, but I don’t really know how serious they are. Texas Tech is another school that I really like. The coaching staff offered me a scholarship and they want me to come down for a visit. Kansas was showing some interest early on, but they are still in the evaluation process.

“Oklahoma, Arizona and Texas Tech are probably the schools that I am most interested in right now,” he added. “I plan to take no more than three official visits before I make a decision. After I take two or three visits, I will be ready to make a decision about my future.”