BU recruit- class of 2010- Ricardo Johnson

[Eta Rho]

A few notes:

• Duquesne (A-10) is expected to be the next school to offer Rico when they receive his transcripts, as long as everything is in order.

• From what I'm hearing, Bradley is now pursuing Ric's brother, JJ, as well. JJ is having a GREAT summer and everyone I've spoken to who was at nationals said as good as Ricardo is, JJ might be the more explosive player of the two. The only thing he lacks is he isn't as good of a shooter as Ric and not as strong. Bradley may be pursuing them as a package deal after the performance JJ had at nationals.

• I spoke with Rico after nationals and he said he plans on getting back in the gym Friday to start getting ready for the season and working out individually with his brother JJ.

• Lastly, Ricardo and JJ's AAU team, Kentucky Firebirds, ended up finishing 11th at nationals out of 70+ teams.

[tornado]

Bradley may be pursuing them as a package deal after the performance JJ had at nationals

how about we hire their mom & AAU coach as well like Bill Self would do!

[tornado]

Found a new, short article on the Central Michigan web site...



"Chippewas Offer

Chippewas Insider has learned that combo guard Ricardo Johnson (6-4, 190) of Covington (Ky.)
Holmes High School has been offered a scholarship by Central Michigan University.
Rated among the top players in the state of Kentucky's 2010 recruiting class,
Johnson also reports offers from Ohio University, Bradley and Marshall,
as well as recruiting interest from a number of other Division I schools.

http://centralmichigan.scout.com/a.z?s=340&p=9&c=2&cfg=bb&cid=883714&yr=2010

There's also some discussion going at the Cincy Rivals site:

http://queencityhigh.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=2630&tid=124143349&mid=124143349&sid=1204&style=2

http://queencityhigh.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=2630&tid=124589203&mid=124589203&sid=1204&style=2

[Eta Rho]

how about we hire their mom & AAU coach as well like Bill Self would do!

I laughed out loud when I read this one.

If any new offers come along, I'll let you guys know. Ric will text/call me as soon as he hears something.

[tornado]

Maybe we need to start another thread on JJ so he doesn't feel slighted!

[Da Coach]

An article from yesterday about Ricardo Johnson. Not really anything new--

http://www.examiner.com/x-9504-Louisville-High-School-Sports-Examiner~y2009m8d3-More-offers-coming-in-for-Johnson

[lake Camelot]

Sean Harris

Now that he won't be here for another year, we can make a double offer. I would like to get a couple 6-5 to 6-7 sized kids in the program. That is the only shortage I see for the future besides a pure Center.

[Eta Rho]

Now that he won't be here for another year, we can make a double offer. I would like to get a couple 6-5 to 6-7 sized kids in the program. That is the only shortage I see for the future besides a pure Center.

Ric and JJ definetly fit that need. Ricardo is 6'5 and JJ is in the 6'6 range now. JJ has gone from 6'3 to 6'6 over the past two summers. Both can run the point or play out on the wing.

[BUBrave28]

I would love to see them both make a visit in the first week or so of school. Campus is packed, lots of things are going on, everyone is excited to be back, and the buildings/quad are in the best shape of the year.

[SFP]

What could be more perfect then another scholie opening up! It seems their style of play will fit perfectly in a JL system. I would even bet with this team there would be the possibility for Ricardo to play a bit of PG as Eta has said he can. I say he has a year to refine his PG skills and I'm sure JL would love to have someone in that class who can play the 1.

[Eta Rho]

What could be more perfect then another scholie opening up! It seems their style of play will fit perfectly in a JL system. I would even bet with this team there would be the possibility for Ricardo to play a bit of PG as Eta has said he can. I say he has a year to refine his PG skills and I'm sure JL would love to have someone in that class who can play the 1.

Rico will run the point for Holmes this year but he's more of a combo guard. He projects to be a wing at the next level, but if needed, could run the point. One of the biggest reasons he'll be the primary ball handler this year is to make room for 6'3 transfer, Demetrius Avery, at the 2 or 3.

I know I mentioned it before, but man Holmes' starting lineup is going to be huge this coming year:

6'3 Avery, 6'5 R. Johnson, 6'5 J. Johnson, 6'6 Rice, 6'8 Pittman

That's very big for a high school team and very rare here in KY. You'll be able to see them live via the internet on wazoosports.com on December 5th against Bowman Academy out of Gary, Ind.

Also, if you want to see Rico in a full game, go to Wazoosports.com , click on Bill Keightly Hoopfest, and then scroll to the right once above the video player and Covington Holmes v Largo, Md. is the second video.

[tornado]

..... if you want to see Rico in a full game,...

eta, the BU fans want to see Rico (and his bro) in four full years of games!

[Da Coach]

New article about Ricardo Johnson from the Central Michigan Rivals site. It is a premium article, so unless you have a subscription, you won't be able to see the entire article-
http://centralmichigan.rivals.com/co...asp?CID=973237


But here are a couple clips- note that it mentions Drake has offered. It is the first time I've seen Drake listed as offering, and there is no mention of Bradley. Rest assured that Bradley is still in the mix, though.-

Ricardo Johnson is no stranger to success on the basketball court. After a junior season most high school players could only dream of and an excellent AAU season, Ricardo has grabbed the attention of colleges from all over.

"AAU season went real good," Johnson said. "We won the Silver Championship at the Adidas tournament. I also played with the Kentucky Firebirds in Orlando. We were able to finish sixth nationally in Division 2."

As a junior, Ricardo helped lead his Covington (KY) Holmes team to a 36-2 record and state championship. In the process, he was named MVP of the state tournament while also averaging 11 points and 5 rebounds per game. For his efforts, Johnson was selected First Team All State and voted 9th Region Player of the Year, 9th Region Tournament MVP and 9th Region Defensive Player of the Year.

"I get after it on both ends of the floor," Johnson said. "I play with passion. I play hungry and I am determined to win. I feel like all parts of my game are strong because I work on all of them all the time. The player I model my game after the most is OJ Mayo."

This style of play combined with his natural ability has netted Ricardo quite a few offers already. Over the summer, Ricardo had received offers from Drake, Duquesne, Ohio, Marshall and Western Kentucky. The most recent team to step in and offer Ricardo was Central Michigan, which offered him after AAU Nationals in Orlando.

"I just want to go to a good program that has a good tradition, a style of play I like and a good schedule," Johnson said. "I am pretty wide open with all of the schools that have offered me. I am planning on taking all five official visits and then making my decision from there."


Ricardo Johnson's Rivals profile-

http://centralmichigan.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=80927

[tornado]

I read the entire article, and even though everyone else reports that Bradley has offered and was the first to offer,
these guys never mention Bradley at all....

[Eta Rho]

New article about Ricardo Johnson from the Central Michigan Rivals site. It is a premium article, so unless you have a subscription, you won't be able to see the entire article-
http://centralmichigan.rivals.com/co...asp?CID=973237

As a junior, Ricardo helped lead his Covington (KY) Holmes team to a 36-2 record and state championship. In the process, he was named MVP of the state tournament while also averaging 11 points and 5 rebounds per game. For his efforts, Johnson was selected First Team All State and voted 9th Region Player of the Year, 9th Region Tournament MVP and 9th Region Defensive Player of the Year.

Wow...that paragraph looks like an exact replica of what I said on their forum when I FIRST reported the offer. That writer pretty much copied everything I said when reporting on Ric.

Also, he currently holds offers from Bradley, Ohio, Marshall, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Duquesne, Drake, and Western KY. And Central Michigan wasn't the most recent to offer. Drake, Duquesne, and Western Ky all offered within the last few days.