Kevin Johnson '13 Guard (signed)

[KY Bearcat]

Looks like Kevin is a Bearcat...tweeted per a couple sources. We've got our guards, time for some bigs.

[CroninCrazy]

Looks like Kevin is a Bearcat...tweeted per a couple sources. We've got our guards, time for some bigs.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Kevin-Johnson-113776


Shooting guard
Cincinnati, Ohio
Summit Country Day
AAU: Ohio Basketball Club
Ht: 6'2"
Wt: 175 lbs
Rebounding: Outstanding
Handle: Good
Passing: Outstanding
Strength: Good
Class: 2013 (High School)

[GoBearcats31]

(Looks like CroninCrazy beat me to it)

6'2, 175 lbs.
Shooting Guard
Summit Country Day

#146 on Rivals
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Kevin-Johnson-113776
(Offers listed: Cornell, Creighton, Davidson, DePaul, Minnesota, Seton Hall, X)

http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=5014429


Happy to get a local kid who sounds like he's got a lot of upside and is continually improving (but already has a solid game). I don't think we'll have a single Ohio guy on the team this year. Like the guards we have lined up for 2013.

Press conference announced for 3 this afternoon at SCD per tweets

[CroninCrazy]

Offers from:
Cincy
DePaul
Minnesota
Seton Hall
Xavier
and a lot of small schools

Interest (no offer):
West Virginia
St. John's
Tennessee
Dayton
Wake Forest
Wisconsin

[GoBearcats31]

David Woods, Indy Star: '13 Cincinnati Summit PG Kevin Johnson picks Cincy Bearcats, according to TV report. He visited #Butler over the weekend.

[KY Bearcat]

David Woods, Indy Star: '13 Cincinnati Summit PG Kevin Johnson picks Cincy Bearcats, according to TV report. He visited #Butler over the weekend.

...pretty sure Butler offered as well...

[GoBearcats31]

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/uc/2012/06/11/summits-kevin-johnson-will-commit-to-cincinnati/

Johnson averaged 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.3 steals last season.


Sounds like we've picked up two guards in the last week that can rebound. Great for teams that want to run like we showed flashes of last year with the 4-guard lineups.

[CroninCrazy]

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/uc/2012/06/11/summits-kevin-johnson-will-commit-to-cincinnati/

Johnson averaged 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.3 steals last season.


Sounds like we've picked up two guards in the last week that can rebound. Great for teams that want to run like we showed flashes of last year with the 4-guard lineups.

Nice video; thanks!

[CroninCrazy]

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120611/SPT0101/306110065/Summit-star-headed-UC?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

[Corporateballa]

Another 3-star combo guard...HooRAY! I have no idea how Mick continues to lock up these 3-star combo guards, but the future looks bright!

[GoBearcats31]

Another 3-star combo guard...HooRAY! I have no idea how Mick continues to lock up these 3-star combo guards, but the future looks bright!

Can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not ... either way, Dave Telep of ESPN has a good write up about how Mick is getting blue collar guys with chips on their shoulders + how Troy and KJ are good fits for the program. I am excited for these guys.

[CroninCrazy]

Can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not ... either way, Dave Telep of ESPN has a good write up about how Mick is getting blue collar guys with chips on their shoulders + how Troy and KJ are good fits for the program. I am excited for these guys.

He is...said the same thing on Caupain's thread.

[juckerrules]

Based on this interview, he seems like a solid kid, something as important (more so in life, of course) than ball skills.

http://www.wlwt.com/news/high-school-playbook/Local-basketball-standout-commits-to-UC/-/9838090/14772684/-/lnkye4/-/index.html

His comments about the atmosphere at the Syracuse game, and how that affected his decision underscore the importance of rabid fan support.

[cpawstoney]

It was one heck of a 17th birthday for Summit Country Day guard Kevin Johnson as he announced his commitment to the University of Cincinnati outside his high school this afternoon.
“I felt this decision was good for me and my family,” said Johnson while his family looked on with joy. “I felt that my family could see me play every home game, and there is a lot of 'em. I felt like UC was striving for a lot of great success, and the success I'm looking for. And I feel like if I can find that success in my own city why not play for my own city and have the glory to have my family right next to me as well..”
http://cincinnati.247sports.com/Article/Kevin-Johnson-Stays-Home-76951

[GoBearcats31]

Like everything I've read and heard from KJ (but in all honesty, I'm commenting because I'd rather see Johnson and Caupain's threads get more chatter instead of seeing people still talking about Obekpa).

[cpawstoney]

NBC Sports:
That said, Cincinnati landed two backcourt recruits just a few days, as 6-3 combo guards Troy Caupain and Kevin Johnson committed within days of each other. While neither is considered a top-50 player, both have the skills to be competent in the Bearcats’ system for years, and should be welcomed with open arms by fans.

Caupain, who hails from Virginia and plays in the strong Team Loaded grassroots program, and Johnson, a player from the backyard at Summit Country Day in Cincinnati, can both handle the ball. While it’s not clear which player will be the primary handler in the future, and which will play off the ball, it is clear that Cincinnati has projected replacements for their senior guards, JaQuon Parker and Cashmere Wright.
http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/06/13/cincinnati-stocks-future-backcourt-with-two-verbal-commitments/
Both Johnson and Caupain are arguably top-150 players, and both received positive reviews during the spring circuit. Cronin and his staff have locked up both backcourt players prior to the July evaluation period, and both seem like solid additions.

[CroninCrazy]

NBC Sports:

Nice find!

[GoBearcats31]

Up 35 spots to #111 on Rivals
http://rivals.yahoo.com/basketballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/rankings/rank-2752/2013;_ylt=AkZc_lJetlHr.TWYGZ_3aBTVO5B4

[blackcattitude]

averaging 18.3ppg, 6.3rpg, 3.1apg & 3.1spg heading into the tournament

[jbreeds1]

Up 35 spots to #111 on Rivals
http://rivals.yahoo.com/basketballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/rankings/rank-2752/2013;_ylt=AkZc_lJetlHr.TWYGZ_3aBTVO5B4

First player cut off from a 4 star recruit. Hopefully he continues to improve!

[CoachPipe]

I know this is the Kevin Johnson thread...but id also like to point out Deshaun Morman is only 11 spots behind at 125

[GoBearcats31]

Summit #1 in Enquirer's Division II-IV poll and beat #5 Taft. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130212/SPT0301/302120141

KJ game high 25

[GoBearcats31]

@chbrendel
#UC commit Kevin Johnson @CAPO_iAm is 30-41 from the floor (73%) over his last 3 games for an average of 26.5 points per.

[jbreeds1]

@chbrendel
#UC commit Kevin Johnson @CAPO_iAm is 30-41 from the floor (73%) over his last 3 games for an average of 26.5 points per.

The next LeBron James?:D

[weez1414]

I just hope him and Caupain translate to college. I'm not sure about Caupain but the teams and league Johnson are playing against are terrible. And thats being nice. I feel like he should average 50 in his league games.

[Bearcat Otto]

Coaches don't really evaluate players by how they perform for their high school teams.

That is all done at the summer AAU tournaments against much stiffer competition.

Coaches will occasionally go watch players in their high school game but their decision is already made. He is there to be seen, not so much to evaluate.

[weez1414]

I understand that but if he was so good against stiffer competition he should be blowing up against these league games......Right?

[Bearcat Otto]

Not neccesarily. If he is a good team player, he will play within the offense that his coach draws up. If that calls for him to run the offense and not score as much, he does that. If the coach wishes for him to run a slower offense than a run-up-and-down the court, then he does that.

High school game stats do not always show the value of the player.

[GoBearcats31]

I'm not sure about Caupain but the teams and league Johnson are playing against are terrible. And thats being nice. I feel like he should average 50 in his league games.

I'll probably get ripped by at least one person and, believe me, I'm not making any comparisons. Just trying to provide the slightest bit of perspective. Some recent DIII players: OSU's Aaron Craft and David Lighty (very good 4-year players), NCH's Bill Walker and O.J. Mayo (them coming to Cincy and playing DIII was definitely a joke) and that LeBron James guy.

Yeah, I'll admit when Mick first offered KJ I was skeptical about a Summit Country Day player but I believe he should be a solid addition. I recall Alvin Mitchell had some crazy numbers in Florida high school ball, so perhaps he was playing against weak teams that inflated his numbers (and, in part, why he never panned out). You just never know. So for the time being, I'll give KJ the benefit of the doubt.

Besides, if anyone has paid any attention to IU's Victor Oladipo in the last couple months then you'll know not to base your analysis of a player on high school rankings and stats.

[weez1414]

I'll probably get ripped by at least one person and, believe me, I'm not making any comparisons. Just trying to provide the slightest bit of perspective. Some recent DIII players: OSU's Aaron Craft and David Lighty (very good 4-year players), NCH's Bill Walker and O.J. Mayo (them coming to Cincy and playing DIII was definitely a joke) and that LeBron James guy.

Yeah, I'll admit when Mick first offered KJ I was skeptical about a Summit Country Day player but I believe he should be a solid addition. I recall Alvin Mitchell had some crazy numbers in Florida high school ball, so perhaps he was playing against weak teams that inflated his numbers (and, in part, why he never panned out). You just never know. So for the time being, I'll give KJ the benefit of the doubt.

Besides, if anyone has paid any attention to IU's Victor Oladipo in the last couple months then you'll know not to base your analysis of a player on high school rankings and stats.
I still get it but all those players you mentioned did play DIII but they also put up huge numbers. I'm just thinking he should score 30 on a bad night against his conference. Heck I hopen hes the next Jordan but IMO Caupain prolly will contribute faster and more. Morman is nice if he qualifies then they will go through that whole scholly thing but the class should be great

[Bearcat Otto]

I still get it but all those players you mentioned did play DIII but they also put up huge numbers. I'm just thinking he should score 30 on a bad night against his conference. Heck I hopen hes the next Jordan but IMO Caupain prolly will contribute faster and more. Morman is nice if he qualifies then they will go through that whole scholly thing but the class should be great

Rather than slam this kid because he is not scoring enough in your opinion, why don't you wait and see him perform at UC.

Or, if you can't wait that long, go see him play in the tournament coming up.

But to question his ability, sight unseen, because he doesn't put up numbers you don't think are good enought is wrong.

[weez1414]

I never slammed him once. My first line even was that I hope he translates just like any player. But I have seen him and his competition which like I said is pretty bad. I just thought he would put up bigger numbers. How's that slamming him?

[Bearcat Otto]

I'm done with this pissing contest.

You saying that he should score 50 a game and questioning his performance based on his competition sounds like slamming him to me.

I trust our coaches not your expectations.

[cincycpaw]

I trust our coaches not your expectations.

Which player gives you this trust? Guyn? JDIII? Sanders??? Gaines????

Ok, just kidding. I'm excited for this entire class and hope they all make it to campus on scholarship.

[weez1414]

Which player gives you this trust? Guyn? JDIII? Sanders??? Gaines????

Ok, just kidding. I'm excited for this entire class and hope they all make it to campus on scholarship.
:cool:
Yeah really. Cuz we light the scoreboard up so much thats all we need is some good passing. (which wouldn't hurt) My fault for wanting more offense out of UC. But I never bashed him his conference yes, but I wish him the best and hope he scores 30pg.

[GoBearcats31]

@MikeDyer
Summit guard Kevin Johnson (UC signee) has 29 points in 63-49 win over West Liberty Salem http://cincinnati.com/blogs/preps/2013/03/07/live-blog-summit-basketball-at-districts/

[coach]

i haven't seen him play in person, but it will be interesting to see if he pushes for starting time next year.

[swilsonsp4]

i haven't seen him play in person, but it will be interesting to see if he pushes for starting time next year.

I've seen him once. He has good shooting form and decent quickness and athleticism. Johnson is, though, very slender (6'2", 165) and will have to hit the weights.

Still the Cats are losing Cash and Parker. That leaves Guyn as the only returning PG option currently on the roster. Either Johnson or Caupain is going to have to step in and play quite a bit at that position.

[GoBearcats31]

I've seen him once. He has good shooting form and decent quickness and athleticism. Johnson is, though, very slender (6'2", 165) and will have to hit the weights.

Still the Cats are losing Cash and Parker. That leaves Guyn as the only returning PG option currently on the roster. Either Johnson or Caupain is going to have to step in and play quite a bit at that position.

Although Mick has talked about him as the next SK, I think Jeremiah Davis can run the point if needed.

[Best Body]

Although Mick has talked about him as the next SK, I think Jeremiah Davis can run the point if needed.

I really hope they make the tournament this season, if it goes that way. Although, Guyn at point doesn't make me feel confident, either. I think SWilson is correct - they really need Johnson or Caupain to play right away, so one better be immediately better than expected.

[CoachPipe]

Pretty poor outing for Johnson against Roger Bacon. Saw limited playing time due to being in foul trouble every time he touched the floor. He ended up fouling out with 5 points

[GoBearcats31]

@MikeDyer Summit Country Day senior Kevin Johnson (UC signee) named an AP Division III state player of the year tonight

[jbreeds1]

Pretty slick video here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=O6BYansE_Oo

MVP of the Ohio Kentucky All-Star game. Looks like his game is improving just the way we wanted it to.

[GoBearcats31]

Pretty slick video here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=O6BYansE_Oo

MVP of the Ohio Kentucky All-Star game. Looks like his game is improving just the way we wanted it to.

Good video. Definitely eager to see him at the next level but still have to take these videos with a grain of salt. The competition in that game wasn't exactly filled with D1 power players. But still like what I saw.

@pauldehnerjr
Mick Cronin called incoming frosh G Kevin Johnson (SCD) "probably the most underrated player in his hometown in history."

Johnson could be the anti-Yancy Gates in terms of perception. Expectations in city hindered Yancy. KJ enjoys home w/out hometown pressure.