At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, and today’s edition will highlight Brandon Johnson of Rolesville and 7thNation Warriors.
There are a lot of factors that go into each prospect’s individual recruitment. Unfortunately, playing in front of college coaches and being talented enough to thrive at the next level doesn’t always do the trick. Take Johnson for example, who played in front of many college coaches throughout the summer, received no offers, and then simply continued to dominate during the high school season. He’s big, strong, smart, and versatile, which is a perfect recipe for the modern-day wing/forward. Perhaps it’s because he’s at Rolesville, where we previously saw Ricky Clemons go under the radar, instead of within a major city. However, location should have zero effect on his recruitment. Johnson has the full package on both ends of the floor, able to be a leader while consistently filling the stat sheet on a nightly basis.
We were fortunate enough to see Johnson multiple times throughout the last calendar year, including at our Phenom Challenge, where we stated: “There was a lot to like with the 7thNation Warriors, but Brandon Johnson consistently stood out as their most intriguing prospect throughout Phenom Challenge. He caught the eyes of spectators on Friday night with his strong versatility, especially on offense, and only continued to get better as the weekend carried on. Johnson has a big-bodied frame and knows how to rebound the ball at a terrific rate, but it’s his ability to grab boards and push the break in transition that seems to overwhelm the opposition. He was able to operate as a primary creator in a pinch and has a pretty solid handle for a player of his size. Johnson has a nice feel for the game and was able to score quite effectively from anywhere inside the arc, especially when looking to attack in transition. Keep an eye on him as the summer carries on, as Johnson could be an absolute steal for the right program.”
On the current season, Johnson is averaging an impressive 17 PPG and 13 RPG per game en route to a 15-7 record. He’s been the clear two-way leader of this group and has the necessary versatility to affect all facets of the game. Johnson shouldn’t be punished for his location, given that he has all the makings of a scholarship-level prospect. There’s still plenty of time for Johnson to collect interest and offers, especially if he maintains his high level of play. Various college coaches would be getting a steal and obvious building block for the future in Johnson.