Offers rolling in for Johnson
If there was one big revelation from the Lake City Classic it was this - Jamal Johnson of Spain Park (AL) High School is a legitimate high-major prospect from the class of 2017.
For those that have watched the talented 6-foot-4 guard over the years, that statement shouldn't come as a big surprise. For those that watched him for the first time, well, they were treated to quite the showing at the LCC.
Johnson was the MVP of the Superior Plumbing bracket of the tournament and was the best rebounding guard at the tournament. He was good for 20 points a game every contest and was a big-time match-up problem for opposing teams.
"He's a difference maker for us," Spain Park head coach Neal Barker said. "(Class of 2017 center) Austin (Wiley) does a good job of getting the ball out to Jamal and that allows us to break a lot of presses and a lot of times be ahead of them before they can even set up their press."
Johnson plays productive minutes at both guard positions. He can be a scorer, passer, rebounder, defender and shooter. The traits are all there to be a good one. For Johnson, it is all about the process of improving.
There was no time to gloat in his team's success at the Lake City Classic.
"We want to get back to practice, get stronger and just have all of our intangibles ready. We need to box out more. We rely on (Austin) too much to rebound for us," he said.
Johnson's fundamental base comes from growing up around the game. Johnson's father, Buck, starred at Alabama before playing in the NBA. The elder Johnson was a Mr. Alabama Basketball selection and a first round pick after starring for the Crimson Tide.
With his dad's history in Tuscaloosa, how much does the younger Johnson pay attention to the Tide?
"I'm open to everyone," Johnson said with a smile.
Bama, of course, is involved in his recruitment. Johnson said he has offers from Auburn, Kansas State, Murray State and Texas A&M while Alabama, Clemson, Kansas and Vanderbilt have all shown various amounts of interest.