The annual Fall Preview camp has become a staple event in the Southeast, as players have come through and jump-started their recruitment in the past. This year’s spotlight belonged to 2024 East Point (GA) Tri-Cities guard Malique Johnson.

Johnson, a quick-twitch 6-foot combo guard, excelled from start to finish in front of our staff. He showed a knack for putting the ball in the basket early and often — in fact, he was the best scorer I saw from camp. The junior filled it up from beyond the arc and showed he can get hot in a hurry. He also converted some acrobatic finishes around the rim to go along with his creative ball-handling skills.

“I feel the best parts of my game are my ability to score at all levels on the floor and my ability to make the right passes to get my teammates involved,” Johnson told HoopSeen.com when asked to describe the best parts of his game. 

Johnson’s competitiveness and willingness to defend also impressed Josh Tec on Sunday. Tec detailed Johnson’s strong performance in our Fall Preview Top Performers rundown earlier in the day.

Surprisingly enough, things have been quiet on the recruiting front for Johnson. He has yet to land any scholarship offers, but there are a handful of schools showing interest. 

“I’ve been in contact with Western Carolina, USC Upstate, Gardner Webb, and Akron so far,” he said.

If Sunday was any indication, the number of schools that pursue Johnson will grow with time. Until then, he has high expectations and goals for the high school season at Tri-Cities High School.

“With me joining a team and school that won a state championship last year, my goal is to get back and have the opportunity to win another state championship. I’m looking forward to it.”

Johnson is currently tabbed as the No. 28 overall prospect in the 2024 HoopSeen Georgia rankings, but it looks like he’s trending upward as the high school season gets underway.