2024 Kris Johnson on his new school, improvements, recruitment

It hasn't taken head coach Devin Paige long to put Grace Brethren on the map in a loaded DMV area. It's clear that when Paige was recruiting players to form his roster, toughness was on the top of the list. If you were to try and sort the roster as who is the toughest, 2024 guard Kris Johnson Kris Johnson 6'4" | SG Grace Brethren Christian | 2024 State #288 Nation MD would be a top candidate. Coach Paige hasn't spruced their schedule with easy opponents either. Currently sitting with a 10-5 record, they've earned wins against the likes of Gwynn Park, Archbishop Carroll and Glenelg Country just to name a few.

"You know, getting players together for this season wasn't easy," Johnson told Prep Hoops. "We had about eight guys or so and our focus was to be well-conditioned. We knew coming into games that teams would try and push us off the floor since we don't have a lot of guys. We made sure that everyone had chemistry and that we all shared the same mindset. We knew we had to do these things in order to win."

Johnson and his backcourt mate in Damien Jones Damien Jones 5'10" | PG Grace Brethren | 2024 MD spearhead the Grace Brethren attack and clearly have immense pride in their effort with every possession.

"Me and Damien have been playing basketball together since the third or fourth grade. We've always been in the same mental spot. We're just dogs. We grew up in that type of area where we just always played rough basketball so when we get out there, it's just an automatic."

Johnson transferred from St. Vincent Pallotti with the expectations of taking on a big role and has answered the call thus far.

"I'm known for bringing energy and defense to games, but coming here allows me to expand and be a point guard at some times and just look to score more. I'm just trying to build on that and be a more consistent scorer while becoming a more all around point guard."

Johnson knows what the next steps in his development entail and are working towards them throughout the season before taking the floor with what should be an exciting New World 17U squad on the 3SSB Circuit.

"Working on creating space and just working on creating more scoring options. That goes for not only me, but also creating for my teammates. I want to make the game easier and make every possession count."

Johnson holds offers from Rhode Island and Long Island. He has heard from ETSU, UCF and Maryland prior to the season.

What is Johnson looking for when evaluating colleges?

"I'm just looking for a welcoming type of environment where I wont feel left out or anything, you know? I feel like I can just talk to anybody and just be comfortable and not have to worry about anyone looking at me any type of way just because of certain stuff about me. So you know, just a welcoming culture."