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Michigan State Basketball: Analyzing top potential 2020 recruiting targets

By Lukas Harkins

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 05: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during practice prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 05: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during practice prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 06: A detail view of the Nike sneakers. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 06: A detail view of the Nike sneakers. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Carlos Johnson – Benton Harbor, MI

PF | 6-foot-6 | 210 lbs | No. 120 overall

Carlos “Scooby” Johnson is one of the most versatile players in the 2020 class. At 6-foot-6 forward with plenty of athleticism and physicality, he is ready to be an immediate-impact performer at a high-major level. With his fluidity, size, and competitive nature, Johnson projects as a combo forward with the ability to function in a number of different roles while on the court. He is a great rebounder for his size, can defend multiple positions, and is well-rounded on the offensive end as well. When necessary, he can be a three-level scorer or highly-valuable creator both inside and out.

Although Johnson missed the majority of the Nike EYBL season due to injury this year, he posted some outstanding performances at Peach Jam. While playing alongside MSU commit Jalen Terry, he flashed his all-around game for The Family Detroit (MI). Across those final five games of the circuit, the rising combo forward averaged 15.8 points (.525/.375/.733), 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. These were clearly some impressive outings as he remains one of the more underrated prospects in this class. Regardless of his national ranking, though, there are plenty of elite programs heavily targeting him.

While Johnson’s recruitment has not made a ton of headlines, it feels as though there are four main schools vying for his commitment. The Spartans offered him back in March and that makes them a major contender even though they might have higher-ranked players at the position. Butler and Missouri are also very involved and seem to be placing him right at the top of their priority lists. Michigan is the other program targeting Johnson but new head coach Juwan Howard seems to have his sights set on other players at the moment.

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