This NCAA basketball recruiting roundup looks at Puff Johnson and Mark Williams cutting their lists down. Several other items are also on the agenda.
Top 2020 prospects Donovan “Puff” Johnson and Mark Williams each cut their school interest list to seven on Aug. 4. Johnson is down to Arizona, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Williams is deciding between Duke, Georgetown, NC State, Ohio State, Stanford, UCLA, and Virginia Tech.
Johnson was originally going to reclassify to the class of 2019 but ran into issues with his former high school Moon Area, according to the Tucson. So, the consensus four-star recruit has decided to remain in his original class. Rivals has him the highest (No. 41) of all recruiting services while ESPN has him ranked the lowest at (No. 61). 247Sports and 247Sports Composite have the 6-foot-7 wing ranked 48th and 49th in the country, respectively.
Johnson, who is the younger brother of former UNC Tar Heel Cam Johnson, is long and athletic. He is an outstanding scorer who has a sweet left-handed stroke. The Coraopolis (PA) native can score on all three levels and is an excellent shooter overall. Johnson is also a staunch defender.
Arizona and UNC are considered to be the favorites for Johnson. He has taken visits to Miami, North Carolina, Notre Dame, and Pittsburgh already.
Williams is a consensus four-star prospect who is ranked No. 32 in the country by ESPN. He is also rated 37th in the country by 247Sports Composite and No. 35 by 247 Sports. However, Rivals has the Norfolk (VA) native ranked at just No. 51.
The 7-footer possesses a beautiful blend of length, strength, and mobility while consistently playing with a high motor. He is a good athlete who can rebound, block shots, and defend multiple positions.
Williams closed out the summer campaign with a bang at Nike EYBL’s Peach Jam, posting 15.3 points,10.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks on 55.9% shooting.
Duke – where Williams’ has been to the campus numerous times to watch his sister Elizabeth play volleyball – and UCLA is believed to be the slight favorites for the big man’s services. He has taken an official visit to Stanford and will visit UCLA later this month. Williams also has been to NC State on unofficial visits.
Other recruiting tidbits
Michigan is among the top five teams for 2020 forwards Isaiah Todd and Lance Ware. The Wolverines are also in contention for several other top 2020 recruits including Joshua Christopher, Jaden Springer, Walker Kessler, Hunter Dickinson, and Nimari Burnett. The Wolverines’ lone commitment in the class is from Zeb Jackson and are projected to have three scholarships available.
Virginia Tech offered rising junior JD Davison a scholarship on Aug. 6. The 6-foot-3 point guard from Letohatchee (Ala.) now holds six offers including from Iowa State, Ole Miss, Memphis, Alabama, Auburn, and UNLV.
2020 three-star forward Chibuzo Agbo will take an official visit to Texas Tech (Aug. 9-11). The 6-foot-6 small forward from San Diego (Calif.) is down to five schools: USC, Marquette, Arizona, and San Diego State. He will also take visits to Marquette and Arizona, although dates have yet to be determined.
2020 four-star Ryan Kalkenbrenner (St. Louis, Mo) took a quick unofficial visit to Purdue on Aug. 6 and will unofficially visit Northwestern on Aug. 7. The 7-foot center will also make an official visit to Stanford this weekend (Aug. 9-11). He has already officially visited Cincinnati and Ohio State.
Arizona State offered 2020 three-star center Bradley Ezewiro (Torrence, Calif.) on Aug. 6. It was the second scholarship offer that the 6-foot-8, 225 pounder picked up over the past couple of days as he nabbed an offer from USC on Aug. 6. He holds 20 offers overall.
2020 power forward Nick Farrar (Apex, NC) verbally committed to NC State on Aug. 7. Farrar, who just picked up the Wolfpack offer on Aug. 5, held over 25 offers from D-I schools.
- 2021 shooting guard Luke Goode will take an unofficial visit to Ohio State on Aug. 18. The Fort Wayne (IN) native is expected to make a trek to Louisville for an unofficial visit on Aug. 11.
- Top-75 junior forward Trey Kaufman (Sellersburg, IN) received an offer from Louisville while on an unofficial visit there (Aug. 6). Kaufman currently holds six offers which include Cincinnati, Indiana, and Xavier.