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Basketball: Santa Monica High center Jayce Johnson (@jrjballer32) choosing between Cal, Stanford, Utah and Colorado, per @scoutrecruiting.
— Jeff Goodman (@jeffgoodman2) September 9, 2015
Cal is likely looking to wrap up their 2016 recruiting class with a big-man. One of the important names left on their board is 7-footer Jayce Johnson.
#CalBasketball has a HUGE official visit on tap for tomorrow: http://t.co/BODjEjaUoc #WhyNotCal
— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) September 24, 2015
Johnson, the eighth ranked center, is primarily looking at Pac-12 schools. A dominant year in the Pac-12 this year could be huge for Cal on the recruiting trail, which has been stocked with momentum since the end of last year. As of now, Utah seems to be in the lead of Johnson's recruitment, but it is still early on and there is plenty of time for Cal to catch up. Johnson has visited Colorado and liked what he's seen, and Cal is up next.
Four-star big man Jayce Johnson was pleasantly surprised on his 1st visit to #CUBuffs (free): http://t.co/QxRL8hYWzH pic.twitter.com/px25R7H5HJ
— Adam Munsterteiger (@adamcm777) September 23, 2015
Johnson has a very good motor for his size, and his strength is definitely finishing around the rim. Virtually every time Johnson gets the ball around it ends up in the hoop, and Cal could definitely use a post-scorer on their team for the long term, considering Ivan Rabb might only be around for 1 or 2 years before he hits the pros. Johnson also has a decent mid-range shot, meaning you cannot leave him open on the elbows. One area of improvement for Johnson is his ballhandling skills, but that isn't as important for a big man on the block.
Ratings:
- ESPN: 4 stars (81), 11th best center
- Rivals: 4 stars, 69th best player
- Scout: 4 stars, 13th best center
- 247Sports: 4 stars (95), 5th best center
Highlights:
Also someone else to watch is five-star point guard Troy Brown from Centennial out of Las Vegas, Nevada. Duke had all the early momentum and the usual suspects like Kansas and Arizona are also weighing in, but could the Bears be making the next big push?
In to see Troy Brown Jr @Troy_Brown33 so far has been the Cal Bears. Cuonzo Martin & staff are doing a great job with the west coast kids.
— Phase1 Hoops (@Phase1Hoops) September 10, 2015
Add #Cal's Cuonzo Martin to Troy Brown's scouting contingent. 3/4 of the Bears staff watching the 2017 5*
— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) July 23, 2015
It goes without saying: Brown is a spectacular talent. He's considered the second best point guard in the 2017 class (behind Trevon Duval). He'd be the immediate starting point guard with Sam Singer graduating after 2015-16, and Brown and new Cal commit Alec Hickman could immediately fill in our point guard depth needs.
As for the talent, just watch the tape. Brown is a 6'5 point guard with great passing ability and potential to be a defensive menace. Sounds like a Cuonzo Martin type of recruit.