Maki Johnson has basketball in his blood, talks two visits

Junior Maki Johson is a noted three-point marksman. With his Huntington (W.V.) Prep program taking last year off due to COVID, Johnson came back this season playing with a purpose.

“I like to make plays for others, but overall I am a shooter,” Johnson told On3 Sports. “I am a good sharp-shooter for any team. Overall my confidence has improved greatly over the last year. I have been in the gym working on my ball-handling and overall, but I would say my confidence has grown a lot. I have heard I play like Tyler Herro, and I watch a lot of him, and I really like him.”

The 6-foot-4 shooting guard has picked up a lot of interest from college programs. Maki Johnson goes through his recruitment exclusively with On3.

Maki Johnson’s recruitment

“I am mostly hearing from ACC and Big Ten schools right now. I have been on unofficial visits to both Louisville and Ohio State. They have both offered.”

Ohio State: “They are actually way bigger than I thought, the school. They have had a lot of alumni play there that I like and follow. They like how I can shoot and how they can use me to stretch the floor like Justin Ahrens there right now.”

Louisville: “I learned that their arena and facilities are really nice when I went down there. They like to get up and down quickly, running a lot of open-flow offense. They think I will fit right in with that, and they want me to come in there to be a shooter and a playmaker on the wing for them.

Basketball is in Johnson’s blood

“My whole family plays basketball, really,” Johnson said. “My sister (Mychal Johnson) went to Notre Dame, and my other sister (Mychelle Johnson) went to Marshall.”

Mychal Johnson has been the long-time girlfriend of current Golden State Warrior and former Huntington Prep star Andrew Wiggins. The pair have two kids together. Mychelle Johnson has been in a long-term relationship with current Charlotte Hornet and former Huntington Prep star Miles Bridges. They also have two kids together.

Johnson’s take

“I will be looking closely at these schools’ play styles,” Johnson said. “How they want me to fit in. Also, the way these coaches coach will make a difference.”

On3’s take

Maki Johnson is a strong wing prospect with solid length and a physically developed frame. He has a reputation as a 3-point shooter with deep range with a repeatable release and shoots with good balance. His toughness makes up some for his lack of footspeed on defense. He is a good rebounder for his position. Not afraid of the moment. He has shown some developed ball handling but still would like to see more here to become a true secondary ball handler. He sees the floor well and is a good passer.