John Calipari visits 2024 No. 1 recruit Tre Johnson

John Calipari and the Kentucky coaching staff are racking up the travel miles on the recruiting trail this weekend.

Calipari and assistant coaches Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman traveled to Kokomo, Indiana on Friday to meet with 2024 five-star center Flory Bidunga — the program’s top frontcourt target in the junior class. The Wildcats are currently in the process of scheduling a visit with the 6-foot-9, 210-pound big man — ranked No. 3 overall by On3 — in June.

“Plan is to be committed before the school year,” a source close to Bidunga told KSR.

Significant visit for a significant recruiting target, but not the only stop Calipari and his staff made this weekend.

The trio of Kentucky coaches also made the trip to Texas to meet with Tre Johnson, the nation’s consensus No. 1 prospect overall in the junior class. Standing 6-foot-5, 180 pounds, the five-star shooting guard is considered the best all-around scorer in 2024 — and it’s not close.

Kentucky’s John Calipari, Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman were in for 2024 No. 1 recruit Tre Johnson this weekend, source tells KSR

Also visited top-three prospect Flory Bidunga — No. 1 center in the junior class.

UK staff putting in work on the recruiting trail.

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) April 16, 2023

Johnson took an official visit to Kentucky back on January 27, with Texas and Baylor — the other top contenders in his recruitment — receiving back-to-back officials on September 17 and October 1, respectively.

The five-star guard was among the first prospects to receive a scholarship offer from John Calipari to open the direct contact period with rising juniors last June. Coach Cal then followed it up with a visit to see Johnson on Sept. 12.

He’s got an official visit scheduled for Kansas on May 5, with an additional trip to Arkansas also in the works.

“I was able to sit in on everything that happens the day before the game. The process of it. The game plan,” Johnson told On3’s Joe Tipton at USA Basketball Minicamp earlier this month. “My lead recruiter was KT Turner before he got the job at UT-Arlington, but now it’s Chin Coleman. I fit in well (with their play style). They let their guards play, as long as they play defense, they let their guards hoop.

“(Calipari) is a cool, nice coach. He’s a player’s coach. He lets his players play.”

As for Johnson’s other two favorites, he says he has a strong relationship with Texas head coach Rodney Terry while he likes the way the guards are used at Baylor.

“(Rodney Terry) and I have had a good relationship always. He was my dad’s assistant coach when he was at Baylor,” he said of his interest in Texas. “So we’ve always had a good relationship and him getting the head coaching job is really good for him. He also lets his guards play and also uses the bigger guards in the post. The players (stood out on the visit). They all stay in the gym and it’s open 24/7.”

“They are a guard school and they let their guards play,” Johnson added of Baylor. “As long as they work on the shots they take in practice, then they’re good.”

In terms of a timeline for a commitment, the 6-foot-5 guard plans to make a decision before Peach Jam in July — just three months away.

“Relationships and who is already going in my class,” Johnson said of the biggest factor in his commitment. “Transfer portal a little bit too.”

Can the Wildcats pull off the major recruiting victory, earning a commitment from the No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2024?

---

Scouting Report

“Tre Johnson has a good frame with plenty of room to continue adding muscle. He has natural length and above-average pop and quickness. His calling card is his shooting. Johnson is a knockdown shooter with deep range, able to make shots off the catch or the bounce. He has great balance with a repeatable release at all levels. His footwork is very impressive. He is able to attack his spots in the half-court, whether setting up in the mid-post or on the perimeter. Johnson can get where he wants off two or three dibbles with a less-is-more offensive approach. Johnson has a smooth game; he does not get rushed, and he is filled with confidence when the ball is in his hands. He has the dimensions to be a solid defender, with the length and IQ, understanding of positioning. His dad signed with Baylor out of high school and was a 1,000 point scorer throughout college.” – On3’s Jamie Shaw

Johnson’s On3 NIL Valuation worth nearly $300K

Tre Johnson currently holds a $534,000 On3 NIL Valuation, which ranks No. 11 in high school basketball.

The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets the standard market NIL value for high school and college athletes. A proprietary algorithm, the On3 NIL Valuation calculates an athlete’s NIL value using dynamic data points targeting three primary categories: performance, influence and exposure.

About On3 NIL Valuation, Brand Value, Roster Value

While the algorithm includes deal data, it does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals athletes have completed to date, nor does it set an athlete’s NIL valuation for their entire career.

The On3 NIL Valuation accounts for an athlete’s roster value and brand value. Roster value is the value an athlete has by being a member of his or her team at his or her school, which factors into the role of NIL collectives. Brand value factors in an athlete’s personal brand and the value it could bring to regional and national brands outside of the scope of NIL collectives.