NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 4 teams for PF Jaxon Johnson
Jaxon Johnson is one of the best state of Utah prospects in the 2024 NCAA Basketball recruiting class. Which teams are in the running to land him?
It may have taken a while but the recruitment for three-star prospect Jaxon Johnson has started to heat up. He’s a 6’8 power forward in the 2024 NCAA Basketball recruiting class, hailing from Sandy, Utah. As a key western prospect, many programs out there have shown interest.
But now, it’s reportedly down to just four teams, including two local ones inside the state. Who’ll ultimately land Johnson‘s commitment? Here’s a closer look at what his options are.
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BYU Cougars
The Cougars are now in the Big 12, though rival and in-state foe Utah also in going there a year from now. They’re a team that’s going to need frontcourt help for the future, just in case starter Fousseyni Traore doesn’t come back for a 5th year. BYU does already have a commitment from four-star Isaac Davis, who plays the same position. Plus, they’re also after four-star local target, Brody Kozlowski.
Stanford Cardinal
Most of the attention on Stanford has been with the backcourt but the frontcourt has been inconsistent overall. They do return both Max Murrell and Brandon Angel, who each have up to two years left if they choose. Johnson has a chance to get backup minutes and slowly develop at this option, while also benefitting from the obvious benefits with the university.
USC Trojans
Playing in Los Angeles has a ton of benefits and the Big Ten Conference is a great national stage for players like Johnson. The problem is that barring transfers or guys going pro, there’s a logjam he’ll have to deal with. Top-100 freshman Arrinten Page is with USC, along with Brandon Gardner and former five-star recruit, Kijani Wright. Someone will have to go for it to make sense for Johnson.
Utah Utes
Utah recently lost a freshman forward on the roster in Karahan Efeoglu, who now is heading elsewhere. The team does have junior forward Ben Carlson and another freshman in Jake Wahlin but the four-spot is viewed as a weak-spot.
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Compared to BYU there certainly is a better path to playing time for Johnson but the program overall is likely going to have some growing pains when they head to the Big 12.