Wildcat Blue Nation
Fansided

Kentucky Basketball Recruiting: The Value of Getting Cam Johnson

By Frank Spencer

Feb 14, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Cameron Johnson (23) shoots the ball past Virginia Tech Hokies guard Justin Robinson (5) during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Cameron Johnson (23) shoots the ball past Virginia Tech Hokies guard Justin Robinson (5) during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Pittsburgh Transfer, Cam Johnson is visiting the University of Kentucky Basketball facility today.

John Calipari is dealing with some unfamiliar circumstances when it comes to building next year’s team. Kentucky Basketball is no stranger to large turnover. But, this offseason, Coach Cal is working with less experience and more turnover than ever before.

A challenge in itself, recruiting the best players possible to compete at  high level is the name of the game. College Hoops has adopted the tradition of trying to obtain the next big star. The “One and done” so to speak. It issue John Calipari is having is finding pieces that match for his puzzle of a team.

The 2017 recruiting class is loaded with talent. Athleticism will win you games but a balanced transition attack as well as an outside three-point threat and a defensive presence wins you championships. There are still some pieces missing in that equation that Kentucky needs to address. With the departures of every experienced guard on the roster, as well as a possible loss of Hamidou Diallo to the NBA, Kentucky needs to make a move. California sharpshooter Jemarl Baker committed to the Wildcats a few weeks ago, and adding Johnson would add more depth at the shooting guard spot and added shooting abilities.

Enter Cam Johnson

Johnson is a graduate transfer from the University of Pittsburg. He is one of the most coveted transfer targets in all of college basketball for a couple of different reasons. For one, he can shoot the basketball. Particularly, that is why Johnson is a great asset to whatever team he chooses to join. Another added incentive for landing Johnson would be that he has college experience in one of the most competitive conferences in all of College Basketball in the ACC. Johnson averaged just under 12 points per game in a Pitt uniform. While shooting 41.5 percent from beyond the arc.

One of the best assets that Johnson brings to the table is the fact that he still has two seasons of eligibility left. He will be eligible to play immediately for wherever he lands. The young man would provide more experience than any other player on the roster for Kentucky if Calipari was to land him.

What are the chances?

It seems as though the 6-foot-8 guard has strong ties with Calipari and his staff. Ben Roberts of the Lexington Herald-Leader reported that Johnson is from the same hometown as John Calipari, and his father has known Kentucky Basketball assistance coach Kenny Payne for a long time.

Those relationships go a long way when it comes to being familiar with a program. Johnson recently named his top six teams. Kentucky, Arizona, Ohio State, UCLA, TCU and Oregon have made the cut.

Next: 5 Teams That Would Benefit Kentucky in SEC Expansion

Many experts believe that Kentucky is sitting pretty with the young man. Kentucky Basketball fans could use some bright spots in their last few weeks to pick up the spirits.

Home/Kentucky basketball