Kentucky expresses interest in stock-booming PG AJ Johnson

Following a standout performance at the 2022 Pangos All-American Camp in Las Vegas this week, Kentucky is expressing interest in the fastest-rising point guard in the nation, AJ Johnson.

Johnson, a 6-foot-6 playmaker out of Fresno, CA, turned heads with his production nearly every time he stepped on the floor in Vegas. A polished ball handler with an elite first step and wiggle, he was beating defenders off the dribble left and right to set up crafty finishes around the basket. When he wasn’t scoring at the rim, he was knocking down shots from three or finding his teammates for clean looks.

Coming in as a consensus four-star prospect, Johnson not only made a case for five-star status, he proved he may be a top-15 player in the entire class.

Kentucky saw it, too, and it’s why the staff will be flying out to Arizona next week to watch Johnson play in the Section 7 event in Phoenix from June 16-19. UK assistant coach Chin Coleman reached out to Johnson’s camp on Wednesday to make it clear the program was interested.

Kentucky will be in to watch 2023 four-star guard AJ Johnson next week, source tells KSR.

Fastest-rising PG in the class, pushing top-15 status — and maybe higher. One of the top performers this week at @PangosAACamp.

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) June 9, 2022

A late bloomer who’s grown six inches since 2020, Johnson was a fringe top-100 prospect going into the spring. After thriving on the adidas 3SSB circuit, though, he has racked up new offers from the likes of LSU, Gonzaga, Creighton, Missouri, Texas, St. John’s, Xavier and Louisville. He then dominated against players across all shoe circuits and age groups at Pangos, resulting in new offers from Tennessee and USC, among other interest.

“It’s been great. All of my hard work is finally paying off,” he told KSR. “It’s a blessing for me, really. Usually it takes a while — where I’m from, it takes kids years just to get one offer. Me getting four or five in one day is pretty crazy.”

How did the production come to fruition? His growth spurt helps, but it’s also thanks to his countless hours in the gym working to develop his craft. It’s allowed him to take a leap from solid Division I prospect to legitimate high-major standout.

“I play the game the right way, just let the game come to me,” said Johnson. “I make plays for others and myself, get to the paint whenever I want. Really, I think I stack up well against the other point guards in this class. … For sure (I’ve taken a leap). I’ve been working on my game a lot, working on my body, getting my shot right. Shooting, I’m getting as many reps up as I can every day.”

He’s not done growing physically, either. Currently pushing 6-foot-6, Johnson says he’s expected to hit the 6-foot-7 mark before long. Others close to the standout guard think he’ll max out at 6-foot-8 — again, as a true point guard.

“I’ve been playing point guard my whole life,” Johnson added, “so I’d really like to continue that.”

The one knock on his game? His weight. He added 15 pounds during his growth spurt, jumping from 145 pounds to 160. Still, though, he’s got muscle to add, something he feels will undoubtedly help him at the next level.

“It’s not really a number (I’m looking to add), to be honest,” Johnson said of adding weight. “It’s really just as much as I can. I feel like the most important thing is just getting ready for college. I think it’ll help a lot, even if it’s just looking the part, you know? Looking like I’m supposed to be out here, being able to take bumps and stuff.”

His recruitment is fresh, with new programs reaching out by the day. There is one school, though, that stands out as one he’s liked since he was a kid.

“Kentucky, for sure. I’ve always been a fan of that program,” Johnson told KSR. “That’s a school I’d like to hear from for sure.”

There is now mutual interest, with Kentucky flying out West to see Johnson in person next week. Now it’s time to find out where things go from there.