Andre Johnson Jr '22 Recruiting Profile

    I fell in love with basketball from the first moment my dad put a ball in my hands. As I progressed from rec teams to travel teams and eventually AAU, my career really took off in middle school as I led my team to a state championship. I received a lot of interest from high school coaches and was ranked in the top 100 players in the country leaving 8th grade. It was at that level that I realized the true importance of teamwork and the unspoken duty of a team leader. I learned that setting a goal of winning a championship at the beginning of each season will never be enough. Along with that goal comes dedication not only to practicing, training and maintaining a healthy lifestyle but more importantly commitment to your teammates. Pushing one another to work harder than you ever thought humanly possible. Building each other up through losses and mistakes and failed attempts. Coming together as an unbreakable unit when everyone else counts you out. Athletic ability and talent will never outshine an unbreakable will to succeed.

    My mental toughness was tested as I entered high school at The Master’s School. My freshman year I was placed on varsity which is the second highest team after the Prep team. I was devastated and disheartened because I had trained for years for this moment and it felt like a failure for me. My drive and determination did not allow me to stay in that place of despair for long. Instead, I trained harder and longer. I worked on my body, my agility and sharpened my IQ for the game. My goal that year was not just to win a championship but also to prove to the Prep coach that I was worthy of a spot on that team. I needed him to know that I would be an integral player that could handle different positions, have a clear vision of the floor for both my teammates and myself and function as an extension of the coach. My team made it to semifinals that year just slightly short of our goal but as a result of my unwavering perseverance I was named to the HVAL All Conference Team and solidified a spot on the Prep team for the upcoming year. I have taken all of my insight and motivation with me into this new role as I look to drastically improve myself as a player each year. We are in the Division 1 prospect-heavy NEPSAC AA league that plays against some of the top competition in the country. The level of play that I am engaged in has pushed me to new heights and increased my competitive drive. As a result, this past year I averaged 14.2 points and 3.5 assists per game and showcased my ability to score and add value at a high level. My weekly regime consists of weight training, PNF stretching, acupuncture and yoga along with drill and skill work. My vision is clear and I know that by trusting the process I will continue to evolve as a direct impact athlete who controls the game on both ends of the court through scoring, passing and playing stellar defense. 

While I love basketball, being an athlete does not define me. In fact my desire to be successful carries over into all areas of my life. As I look forward to college in the near future I am looking for a school that challenges me academically and prepares me in all ways to navigate a world that is full of challenges and obstacles. I currently volunteer at The Boys and Girls Club in my city as well as at a Basketball Training Academy focused on teaching youth the fundamentals of the game. I realize how important it is to make an impact and giving back to the community is. I intend to make positive contributions to the college/university and be a pillar on campus.  Ultimately, my college education will position me to begin a lifelong career in my chosen field of study and basketball is a tool that I will proudly use to advance myself. In the classroom I will be committed to continuously improving and growing. I am willing to take risks, ask questions and push myself outside of my comfort zone. Critical thinking and problem solving skills are something I rely heavily on both on the court and in the classroom. 

As a member of your basketball team I will give you 120% every game, every practice and on both ends of the court. I see my team as a family first which helps to foster a certain responsibility to do what is needed to help one another to meet not only our common goal but individual goals as well. I understand that defense is imperative because great defense leads to more opportunities on offense. Most importantly you will get a versatile player, one who can step up and score or one who can run a team and pass to open teammates. I have a dynamic court vision and my ability to see the floor and find open teammates or avoid traps will bring a new dynamic to your team. Above all, you will get a player who is coach-able, willing to listen and execute the coach’s plan but also, able to lead and rally the team on the floor.

Recommendations: 

Andre ‘Boom’ Johnson Jr. - (2022) 6’4 guard - Andre is a long, athletic guard who plays both positions in the backcourt. He is an elite shooter and plays down hill, finishing above the rim. A very skilled playmaker who scores consistently from all 4 levels. He has an incredible ability to perform his best in the biggest games on the biggest stages. He has a very high IQ and a tremendous will to win. Andre has spent the offseason working relentlessly on his body (in the weight room) as well as his basketball skill set. Definite scholarship player. 

- Coach Juice