On Tuesday, five-star point guard Dior Johnson committed to the Oregon Ducks, making him Oregon’s second-highest-rated prospect in the Oregon recruiting history era.
“I wanted to commit now because I felt like Oregon was the place for me. I am a person who is big on relationships and trust,” Dior Johnson said to ESPN.com. “The relationship I have been able to establish with Coach Altman is special and being that he is a legendary coach, I feel that learning from him on a daily basis on and off the court will be huge for my development. He is a Coach that will push you every day to be great and that is something I like. I also felt that it was important for me to build an early bond with my future teammates and have the ability to recruit other guys to come play with me.”
2022 Five-star point guard Dior Johnson has committed to Oregon. @3Diorjohnson pic.twitter.com/5B4dDLbPAJ
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) June 22, 2021
The rising high school senior is the No. 3 player in the country for the 2022 recruiting class and the No. 1 prospect at the point guard position, according to 247Sports Rankings. He narrowed down his offers last week to five options: Alabama, Kentucky, Washington, Oregon and an opportunity to play professionally overseas in the New Zealand Basketball League. Before deciding on the Ducks, Johnson had committed to Syracuse before decommiting in November of last year.
“In the past, I was immature with some of the decisions I have made being that everything surrounding basketball started to happen at a very young age for me,” explained Johnson on his previous actions.
“That came with me not embracing the right guidance and not understanding how certain decisions can affect my future. However, I have grown from these situations spiritually and my relationship with God has been strengthened … I am glad that I went through those situations early on as now I understand the process in decision making and can continue to pass along the information to help the next generation not have to deal with the downfalls I’ve experienced.”
Although it’s too early to make any definitive assumptions, analysts believe Johnson has a high ceiling. 247Sports Director of Basketball Scouting Jerry Meyer predicts Johnson as a future NBA lottery pick who has similarities to the Sacramento Kings’ De’Aaron Fox.
Meyer explains Johnson has “Good length and stature for a point guard. Quick athlete with superb body control. Has tremendous instincts as a driver and passer. Delivers the difficult pass. Finishes the difficult shot. High level lay up maker. Has multiple fade away moves to his right shoulder. Shoots the ball well enough to be considered a three-level scorer. Has potential to rebound his position well and be a dangerous versatile defender. Has bounced around to multiple high schools which some view as a yellow flag.”
The numbers back up the high acclaim. In his sophomore year at Centennial High School in California, the 6-3, 180-pound has been averaging 23.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. Additionally, he’s shown glimpses of his shifty defensive abilities, as he’s been averaging almost 2 steals per game.
As of now, the main concern for Johnson is his commitment to a team, as Meyer briefly touched on in his analysis. Finishing only two years of high school, he’s already been with seven high schools. He has attended Saugerties Senior High School in his hometown Saugerties, New York; IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida; Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada; Fairfax Senior High School in Los Angeles, California; Mayfair High School in Lakewood, California; and Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia.
If Johnson decides to stay committed to Oregon and continue the college route, he’ll fill in a much-needed piece to Oregon’s roster. Assuming Will Richardson, De’Vion Harmon, and Jacob Young will leave college following this coming season, the backcourt will be empty in 2022. Johnson will fill in this gap and take control of the Duck’s offense with his leadership capabilities.
Dior Johnson has a lot to offer, and with head coach Dana Altman and the up-and-coming Oregon basketball program, it will be exciting to see what’s in store for him and the Ducks.
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