Keldon Johnson, the 6-foot-6 wing from Oak Hill Academy (VA), committed to Kentucky on Saturday evening.
Johnson also considered Maryland, N.C. State and Texas.
“Historic program, great coaching, they develop players really well and stuff like that,” Johnson told PlayMakerScouting.com prior to his announcement.
Playing with Boo Williams this summer on the Nike EYBL Circuit, Johnson averaged 20.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. According to 247Sports, Johnson is the No. 14 player in the 2018 class and the No. 2 shooting guard. Johnson visited Kentucky in September on the same weekend as John Carroll (MD) point guard Immanuel Quickley, who later committed to Kentucky. “The message that Coach Cal is preaching is that if he works hard and plays like he’s playing now, he could come in there and would have a chance to play and a chance to start,” Keldon Johnson’s father Chris told ZAGSBLOG after the visit. “But he would have to come in ready to go because at Kentucky nothing is given to you.” He added: “Getting to talk to Cal, you see the real Cal. He really loves the kids, and I could see Keldon playing there. I think it would be a great opportunity.” Meantime, Oak Hill coach Steve Smith says Johnson is a future pro. “He’s got great size, he’s a wing player, he’s about 6-6, 6-7, good body, weighs about 215 right now,” Smith said. “We’re trying to get him down to about 205. We’re working with him on that. He’s an NBA prospect. he’s that kind of player. He’s very skilled, he’s a great passer. He’s long, he defends, he rebounds. He’s a great offensive rebounder and then he can score the ball as well as any wing in the country so he’s got a great upside. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t play for money one day.” Kentucky remains in the mix for several Class of 2018 prospects, including Zion Williamson, Darius Garland, Moses Brown, Bol Bol, Quentin Grimes and Tyler Herro, who took his official to Kentucky this weekend.