West Coast attention for fast-riser Penn-Johnson
CERRITOS, Calif. – Bryan Penn-Johnson was able to improve his stock greatly last week at the Pangos All-American Camp. Despite it being a camp setting where defense is missing, Penn-Johnson's physical tools and upside were each worth noting.
Penn-Johnson stands over 7-foot tall, boasts a 7-foot-7 wingspan, a 9-foot-7 standing reach, and bigger hands than Kawhi Leonard. Given his measurables and ability, the fact that Penn-Johnson is still relatively under-recruited is rather shocking.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
A possible explanation: His numbers on the adidas circuit have not been the best, and a hiatus from the playing floor (he was injured during his sophomore year and then transferred high schools during his junior campaign) have not helped things. As such, recruiting is just now heating up for the 2018 prospect.
“It is really just getting started," Penn-Johnson said. "I didn’t play my sophomore and junior years, so people weren’t able to see me play,” he said. “This summer, things have picked up. A lot of mid-majors schools have been coming to get me.”
The Pac-12 has been involved as well.
“Washington is in touch every single day. Washington and Utah, I talk to a lot,” he said. “St. Mary’s hasn’t offered yet but I am talking to them every single day.”
Penn-Johnson touched on each program that is heavily involved.
Washington: “I love it. I love the atmosphere. I am close with Coach (Dave) Rice since he was at UNLV. We stayed in contact and have really built a real good relationship with them.
“I plan on going up there after the last live period in July.”
Utah: “I have been up there multiple times. Me and Coach (Larry) Krystkowiak have a really good relationship. Him being a big man, he knows what I have to work on.
“The city is great, the atmosphere and the city is awesome and it is a family-like atmosphere. The team is really nice, the coaches are really nice; it is a just a great place to be.”
St. Mary’s: “Our relationship is still kind of new, so we are just trying to build a better relationship to get a better feel for them. As soon as that relationship builds, I will have a better feel for things with them.”
WHAT'S NEXT
Things are just beginning to heat up for Penn-Johnson. After adding USC and California offers to his original 12 last week, no visits or plans for a more narrowed list are expected any time soon.
Penn-Johnson will finish his final month of travel ball with the Dream Vision 17-under team on the adidas circuit in July.
RIVALS' REACTION
Having grown up in New York and with family in Georgia, the West coast prospect could see his stock hit the national platform this summer.
Seeing that Washington and Utah are the two programs that have stood out with the Dream Vision product, it looks like the Pac-12 schools are the most likely landing spots for him, though a handful of others are due to get involved in the weeks ahead.
