Recruiting Report: Nathan Johnson (2018)
Lots has been happening for Waukee small forward Nathan Johnson since we last spoke with him in June. He picked up his first Division I offer, has seen his general recruitment take off and has switched grassroots teams. Air Force…
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Continue ReadingLots has been happening for Waukee small forward Nathan Johnson since we last spoke with him in June.
He picked up his first Division I offer, has seen his general recruitment take off and has switched grassroots teams.
Air Force became the first school to extend the 6-foot-6 junior an offer last summer, after Johnson strung together some impressive performances with Kingdom Hoops Elite 16U.
And just before the high school season started, the cerebral wing took an unofficial visit to Ivy League program Cornell. He says they stay in touch on a weekly basis.
Johnson also mentioned Wisconsin, Drake, Northern Iowa and Elon all send frequent mail. And others have come to see him in person.
“Right before the season Nebraska, Air Force, UNI, Iowa State, North Dakota, South Dakota, North Dakota State, they all watched me work out and go through practice — so that was really good,” said Johnson.
Already one of the bounciest wings in Iowa, Johnson has worked relentlessly and successfully to hone his perimeter skill-set.
Case in point: He’s shooting 54 percent from beyond the arc this season.
“I’ve really worked out on the perimeter all off-season, and I’ve really improved my shot. I’m working a lot on ball-handling, creating space, getting to the hoop and finishing,” said Johnson, who is averaging 12 points on 57 percent shooting this season on a stacked Warriors squad.
“I’m probably one of the better shooters on the team, so I’m looking to get up shots on the perimeter; get some rebounds, putbacks and get a couple dunks here-and-there. And then I’m working defensively too, a lot.”
After playing with Kingdom Hoops the last several offseasons, Johnson will join the adidas-sponsored Iowa Barnstormers for his 17U season.
“The Barnstormers are in the adidas circuit, so that will be really good to play with and against some of the top players in the nation. It will be good for all of us and our exposure,” said Johnson. “So that will be a really fun, neat experience to travel to all those places and play against all those teams.”
He added “I still have the highest respect for Kingdom Hoops, they have a great program over there. But I just felt like playing for the Iowa Barnstormers would be a really good fit for my style of play, and I could play really well with all of their players and fit in really well.”
Playing in the adidas circuit will undoubtedly be very beneficial for Johnson’s exposure and recruitment. And he could see several additional D1 offers come in by summer’s end.
“Recruiting will run its course, but I’m just looking for a good school that fits well with me and my style of play. Academics will obviously play into that. But really just a good coaching staff, and program that I feel comfortable playing with is the main factor,” he said.
“The level of play, whether it’s mid-major, high-major or low-major wouldn’t really matter a ton.”