Alabama Basketball: RJ Johnson commits to Crimson Tide, Nate Oats

Huntsville (Ala.) Grissom three-star recruit RJ Johnson will remain in-state and has committed to the University of Alabama, he told On3.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound point guard ultimately chose the Crimson Tide over Georgia.

Joining Johnson, an Alabama native, in Tuscaloosa in 2023 is four-star forward Sam Walters (No. 80).

Johnson is the No. 197 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, the average ranking from all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 36 point guard and the No. 2 player in the state of Alabama.

RJ Johnson on his commitment to Alabama

It’s not too much of a surprise to see Johnson stay home and choose the Tide. The Alabama coaching staff delivered him the official offer while on a visit on August 17th. Less than 10 days later, Johnson is committed.

“It felt like home,” Johnson said to On3. “The fans and coaching staff showed love with me being an in-state kid.”

Johnson says the Tide are getting “a dog who’s going to play both ends of the floor.”

He also has a message for ‘Bama fans.

“Me and Sam (Walters) about to put on a show.”

Bama loaded in 2022

There will be seven fresh faces in Tuscaloosa this upcoming season, three of which are from the transfer portal. Nick Pringle is a 6-foot-10 power forward from the JUCO ranks. Mark Sears is an Alabama native that averaged nearly 20 PPG last season at Ohio. Last but least is Dominick Welch, who averaged double-figures at St. Bonaventure.

Joining the transfers are four highly-touted freshmen, headlined by five-star wing Brandon Miller and four-star point guard Jaden Bradley, both of whom are McDonald’s All-Americans. Joining the pair is stock rising four-star shooting guard Rylan Griffen from Texas and four-star big man Noah Clowney from South Carolina.