Stock-rising '23 PG AJ Johnson hoping to hear from Kentucky

You won’t find another junior guard who saw his stock rise more this weekend at Adidas 3SSB Session 1 than AJ Johnson. Standing 6-foot-6, 160 pounds, the Woodland Hills, CA native looked the part of a rising five-star point guard for Jalen Green Elite in Noblesville, IN.

The only issue? Johnson is barely ranked in the top 100 of various recruiting services, if listed at all. Going into the weekend, his only offers were from Arizona State, Eastern Washington, Fresno State, New Mexico, San Diego State, Texas Tech, UTEP, Washington State and Wyoming. Other schools were starting to reach out, but it’s been a slow burn from the start.

Part of it had to do with his physical growth. Back in the summer of 2020, he barely stood 6’0″ and weighed just 145 pounds. He grew three inches the following year, then another three inches between August 2021 and April 2022. As his height and length continued to stretch, though, the pure guard skills remained. The quickness, wiggle and burst stayed, as did the ball-handling and shot-making. His length has also allowed for improvement on the defensive end and as a finisher around the basket.

All of those traits were on full display at 3SSB Session 1 this past weekend, with coaches flocking to watch the underrated guard with their own eyes. He dazzled in transition, scored at all three levels, finished in traffic, created for his teammates and was disruptive on the defensive end. It was an all-around effort that resulted in new offers from LSU, Creighton, Missouri and Texas on Monday alone.

AJ Johnson has definitely been in the lab with his brother 😳 pic.twitter.com/PUNyBlkq7A

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 11, 2022

With Johnson emerging as one of the best-kept secrets in the class of 2023, KSR caught up with the standout guard regarding his impressive weekend in Noblesville, his game, booming recruitment, schools he’s looking to hear from, the pro route and a timeline for a decision.

The biggest takeaway? Kentucky is at the top of his priority list if and when an offer comes.

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How do you think you played this weekend in Noblesville?

I think I played pretty solid. You know, at times I could have been a little bit more aggressive. I was getting a feel for the ball and stuff like that because it’s for sure different than the balls I’m used to playing with. It’s a lot bouncier, stuff like that, but I feel like I played pretty solid.

What’s it like being the talk of the gym after the first weekend?

It’s just pretty crazy. I mean, I thought about times like this where it was going to be my time. Even back when all the rankings were coming out and I wasn’t on the top 50 or top 60, none of that, I was being patient. I’ve just been waiting my turn, basically.

How would you describe your game to someone who hasn’t seen you play?

I describe my game as — well, I’m a point guard. I’m super unselfish, feel like I can get to the rim anytime I want with whoever is in front of me, make plays every time I touch it, pick up 94 feet. I want to win all the time.

You’ve grown physically, but the guard skills are still there. What position do you consider yourself and what do you hope to play at the next level?

Well, I think I really want to be locked into the one (position) because a 6-7 point guard, that’s super — it’s pretty cool. To me, I feel like I could play the two, off the ball, but I’ve grown up playing the one even when I was younger because I was smaller. Now that I’m 6-5, 6-6, the height of a two-guard, I still play the one. I feel like I can play both one or two, but I’m mainly a one.

What are your measurables right now?

Measured in at 6-5 a couple weeks ago, feel like I’ve gotten another inch taller since then. I’m 160 pounds at the moment.

Is there anyone you model your game after?

I use a little bit of the point guard and the leadership of like Ja Morant and the playing free like Lamelo (Ball), you know? He plays free out there. Then I add a little bit of my own stuff to it, but I feel like those two for sure. A little bit of Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander), too.

What was it like to play in front of coaches for the first time this weekend?

Oh, it was great. I don’t think I’ve played in front of coaches for a while. The Live Period of my freshman year, I think. Maybe my sophomore year, but it’s been a while for sure. But just working out and hearing from (trainer) Mike (Hill) and Jalen (Green), stuff like that, I know what a lot of the coaches want to see. So now that I’m prepared and I know, I’ve just got to go out there and do that the best I can.

You’re playing for Jalen Green Elite, you’re very close with Jalen. How do you know him and what is that relationship like?

I’ve known him since I was like 10. Mike had both of us in the gym, he was probably like 14, I was 10. At that moment when I first started watching him play, he was a super role model for me. He’s a really big — like, I rolled my shorts up like him. I was young, but I really looked up to him a lot. I look up to him now. That’s been my brother for a while.

What’s it like seeing Jalen explode the way he did and the success he’s now having in the NBA?

For sure, that’s what I want to be one day. It’s crazy seeing him in the league because I’ve known him for so long. We all knew it was gonna happen, but now that it’s really happening, it’s crazy to see.

As for your recruitment, things are obviously a little crazy right now. How is it all going for you?

It’s going good, a lot of coaches have hit me, they’re texting me. It’s been pretty good because it’s been so long since coaches were really recruiting me like that. My junior season, I think it was like — USC was recruiting me a little, Arizona State offered me, it was just a little bit. But it wasn’t how it is now. Now that I’ve played in front of a lot of coaches, they’re coming in really quick. It’s really good to see.

What schools in particular are recruiting you the hardest right now?

The school that recently reached out are LSU, Arkansas, Creighton and Gonzaga, those are just the schools that have reached out so far after this weekend. A school that has been on me a lot is Texas Tech. I got offered a couple of months ago, but they’ve been on me a lot.

Did you have a dream school growing up? One you watched closely as a kid?

Kentucky for sure (is my dream school). When I was younger, I was a crazy fan of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I just really like him a lot, so I always wanted to rep Kentucky. That still would be one of the schools I’d want to go to, but when I was younger, that’s where I really wanted to go.

I like UCLA a lot too.

What about Kentucky stands out?

It’s just a great program, great coach. They get a lot of love, Kentucky is just a really popular school. It’s somewhere I would love to play.

What do you think about the narrative that West Coast kids don’t work at schools like Kentucky? Is that something you keep in mind as the recruiting process picks up?

When all the odds are against me, I feel like that’s when I thrive the most. When people don’t think I can succeed or I won’t play good somewhere, I won’t fit, it gives me a boost to even go harder. I feel like, against those odds, I’ll be really good.

Do you prefer to stay close to home or would you like to travel a bit further away?

I’m open to pretty much anything. I want to go somewhere I can just play my best, you know? Whether that’s Kentucky, whether that’s UCLA, anywhere.

Jalen obviously played for the G League Ignite, and you two are very close. Is that a path you’re considering? Or any professional route for that matter?

I feel like the G League would be good, could actually go with both (college or pro). They’re both a really good idea.

It’s obviously still early, but do you have a timeline for a decision in mind? At least an idea of when you’d like to make a commitment?

Yeah, I’m just playing it by ear right now. Just trying to get as much as I can. I feel like it’ll be later on in my senior year though, for sure. Later on in the year.

What do fans need to know about you as a player and who you are on the floor?

I really have fun when I’m on the court, you know? I make sure I have fun, I enjoy it, but I’m also always trying to win. Have like a flashy game, a fun game to watch. I can break my defender down, stuff like that. Just have fun, play free, exciting to watch.

What about off the floor? What do you like to do away from basketball?

Hanging with my friends. Come over, play games, making TikToks, having fun and doing regular kid stuff.

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Johnson is barely inside the top 100 right now, but his stock is set to explode as the grassroots season continues to move forward. He’s got all the makings of a five-star point guard.