Recruiting report: Mikhlyn (MJ) Johnson (2016)
SPRINGFIELD — The MBCA Challenge showcased some of the state’s top players over the weekend at Drury University in Springfield, and St. Joseph Benton 2016 forward Mikhlyn (MJ) Johnson showed off the skills that has him headed to play at…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingSPRINGFIELD — The MBCA Challenge showcased some of the state’s top players over the weekend at Drury University in Springfield, and St. Joseph Benton 2016 forward Mikhlyn (MJ) Johnson showed off the skills that has him headed to play at the next level.
At 6-foot-6, Johnson showed off some elite athleticism. He is a pogo stick around the rim at both ends of the court. He averaged a little more than 8.0 per game and shot 66 percent from the field this season for a Benton squad that went 20-7.
“My game is played mostly in the post,” Johnson said. “I square up when I first get the ball to see what my opponent is going to take away, and act accordingly.”
Johnson’s Northwest team posted a big comeback win on Friday over a team from Southeast Missouri, then bowed out in the semifinals to St. Louis on Saturday.
“The Missouri Challenge this weekend was pretty fun,” he said. “The only player on my team that I knew personally was Jackson (Beaver) because we went to school together. The rest I had played against. So it was fun to play on the same side.”
Johnson played his summer basketball with Kansas City based NDaGym, a Team coached by Lincoln Prep’s head and junior varsity coaches.
“It really helped me develop my game individually,” he said.
Johnson has signed to play next season at North Central Missouri Community College located in Trenton, Mo.
“I chose NCMC because I liked the small town atmosphere it had,” Johnson said. “Plus one of my good friends that I played AAU with is planning on going there. And I like the coaches, so it was all around the better choice.”
Johnson said his high school coach, Gary Belcher, has been the most influential person in his basketball career.
“I never took the game serious because I never thought I’d go anywhere for it,” Johnson said. “But he convinced me otherwise, and I’m glad I listened.”
Johnson said on the court he looks up to the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan.
“I like the way Jordan plays,” Johnson said. “He’s a strong post player who throws down everything he can. I wanna be like that.”