Dakari Johnson, a 6-11 center from New York, is one of eight players at the LeBron James Skills Academy who just finished his freshman year of high school this spring.
Despite that tender age, it’s apparently never too early to begin a recruiting effort. Johnson said he’s already heard from such schools as Kentucky, Syracuse, Xavier, Georgetown, Ohio State, Villanova and St. John’s.
Johnson averaged about 10 points and nine rebounds playing alongside UK freshman-to-be Michael Gilchrist at St. Patrick’s, a high school powerhouse in Elizabeth, N.J.
“He really pushed me,” Johnson said of Gilchrist. “We’d talk smack to each other.”
When asked which player got the best of the friendly practice competitions, Johnson said, “He got the better of me. I went at him a couple times. But when he got it going, I couldn’t stop him.”
Yes, Gilchrist has lobbied on UK’s behalf.
“He’ll joke around (saying) ‘You’re a Wildcat,’ ” Johnson said. “He’s my brother. I listen. But he won’t persuade me.”
For a player who’ll be a sophomore next season, a college choice is some far off decision.
“I’m not going to pay attention until my junior or senior year,” Johnson said.
Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald- Leader has covered Kentucky basketball since the 1981-82 season. That time includes five coaches, five Final Fours, four athletic directors, two interim athletic directors and many memories. Before coming to Lexington, Tipton worked eight years for the Huntington (W.Va.) Herald-Dispatch. He covered Marshall’s basketball team for two seasons before coming to the Herald-Leader.
