At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around senior prospects. Last season, over fifty players from South 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 DeVante Johnson of Lugoff Elgin.
We’ve seen Johnson in multiple different settings, including at our SC 150 Camp, where we stated, “Moving onto a player that showcased the ability to consistently make plays on both sides of the ball, DeVante Johnson. He’s an athletic guard prospect with a strong frame, which allows him to bully opponents and absorb contact around the basket. Johnson has a solid IQ, and his 3.9 GPA also makes him a standout in the classroom. Offensively, he knocked down three-pointers at an efficient clip throughout camp and got to the rim whenever he desired. Johnson rebounded the ball quite well for his position and frequently pushed the break in transition. He forced numerous turnovers on defense and showed a strong understanding of positioning on that end of the floor. Next in his development process is working on his ability to hit shots off the dribble, as it would make him a more effective scorer. Coach Blue on Johnson: “DeVante is a solid all-around guard that can make plays as a catch-and-shoot option; he shot the ball well throughout the day from all levels and penetrated with relative ease. DeVante is a good teammate and was very coachable at camp.” Johnson could be one to keep an eye on during the upcoming season, as he could have a breakout year.
Although the Demons weren’t the most successful team in South Carolina, Johnson still had his imprint as one of the most productive scorers across the state. His 20 PPG scoring average places him in strong company and 24thoverall in South Carolina; he also ranks 13thin made three-pointers. The numbers speak for themselves…