Top Junior Wants To Make Early Decision
There's no question that Marcus Johnson, a super-athletic 6-foot-6, 190-pound
swingman from Westchester High School in Los Angeles, is one of the country's
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elite players in the junior class. Johnson currently ranks as the #49 player
overall in the RivalsHoops.com Top 75 of the class of 2005. Johnson has all
sorts of high-major programs after his services, and don't be surprised if he
makes a choice in the near future.
"I'm going to be finished by the summer," said Johnson. "By summertime, I'll
have my decision made."
Johnson named off a litany of high-major schools off the top of his head that
are currently recruiting him with fervor.
"Syracuse - they're recruiting me pretty hard, also Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan,
Arizona, UCLA," said Johnson. "It's pretty much everybody."
According to Johnson, Syracuse, Kansas, and USC have offered, while Kentucky
has "pretty much" offered. When asked for a Top Five, Johnson had to think
things through while answering.
"North Carolina, Syracuse, Connecticut, Kansas, Kentucky," said Johnson, but he
wasn't finished. "If I stay at home, UCLA or Arizona. I guess I'm not really
narrowing it."
Will staying close to his Los Angeles home make a difference? It's hard to
tell.
"I want to leave, but my Mom wants me to stay," said Johnson. "If I do stay,
it will pretty much because of her."
Johnson basically has one factor that he's using to figure into his decision.
"Wherever I fit," said Johnson.
Official trips will help him in his choice. He's already got a few in the
works.
"I'm supposed to take a trip to Syracuse pretty soon, and also Connecticut,"
said Johnson. "And probably Kansas also. Everything else will probably be
unofficial."
Long and lanky, Johnson is an elite athlete on the wing, and does most of his
damage driving to the basket. However, he can also post up underneath as well
as sink threes on the outside. At the MLK Invitational in Portland this past
weekend, he impressed observers with his ability to do things athletically that
most cannot dream of. He'll need to get stronger and continue to develop his
ball skills, and Johnson himself recognizes the need to keep on working hard at
his game.
"My jumpshot, but everything really," said Johnson on what he wants to improve.
"I want to get better in everything that I do."
Be sure to keep a close eye on how Johnson's recruiting develops over the next
few months.
Jed Tai is a senior writer with Hoopville.com
-- Denny Conroy contributed to this story