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twitterUNLV BASKETBALL:
Johnson leaves Las Vegas with good impression of UNLV program
Atlanta wing has already visited Rebels, Charlotte, also plans on visiting Xavier, LSU
Published Monday, June 8, 2009 | 12:22 p.m.
Updated Monday, June 8, 2009 | 7:43 p.m.
Fayette County (Ga.) High forward Noel Johnson
The Rebel Room
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Ryan Greene and Rob Miech get you up to speed on all the recent developments in the world of UNLV hoops, including takes on Quintrell Thomas's commitment, the potential addition of Noel Johnson into the fold and the future of the Mountain West Conference tournament in Las Vegas.
Fayette County (Ga.) High forward Noel Johnson
Sun Archives
While he didn't drop everything and commit on the spot, Noel Johnson came away with nothing but positives from his weekend visit to UNLV.
Johnson, a 6-foot-7 wing from Fayette County High in suburban Atlanta, is ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 53 prospect in the 2009 class and the No. 2 remaining unsigned senior.
"It was a good visit," Johnson said Monday evening. "They had a nice campus, nice coaches and a good basketball team, so I liked it."
Johnson's weekend included plenty of time spent with Lon Kruger and his staff, former Rebels guard Kevin Kruger and current UNLV senior Steve 'Chopper' Jones.
He said he had an opportunity to watch the current Rebels play pick-up ball, while the coaches showed him on film just where he can fit in and help out right away.
"They were pointing out spots where they'd probably need me on the offensive end, spot-up shooting or creating at the basket," Johnson said. "(Jones) was saying how I could play a key role with next year's team, both offensively and defensively, and how much coach Kruger talks about me."
Lynbert 'Cheese' Johnson, Noel's father and a longtime friend of UNLV assistant Lew Hill, said the family will sit down either later this week or at some point next week to come to a decision. His wife, Angie, accompanied their son on the visit.
It was the second visit Johnson took since de-committing from USC, and there will probably be a few more. Noel said he plans on visiting Xavier and Louisiana State, and will probably plan one more.
Noel was more than familiar with Las Vegas before this weekend, having played the past several years in the annual adidas Super 64 AAU tournament with the prestigious Atlanta Celtics.
However, he said he learned more about the history of the UNLV program than he'd known prior, including the fact that the Rebels have the fourth highest winning percentage in NCAA Division-I men's basketball history, behind only Kentucky, North Carolina and Kansas.
"I played there the past four years," he said of his experience with the Celtics. "Recently, I could really see myself playing for the Rebels."
Johnson averaged 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists last year for Fayette County High, which went 21-8, including a 14-game win streak before having its season ended by Miller Grove.
He's proven to be an effective 3-point shooter. He connected on 58 of 177 attempts a year ago (32.8 percent). He hit 82 3-point attempts as a junior while averaging 23.8 points and 8.4 boards.
Johnson was originally part of a spectacular recruiting class put together by Tim Floyd at Southern Cal, which included fellow top prospects Solomon Hill and Renardo Sidney. But with the impending fallout from Floyd's alleged cash payment of $1,000 to a handler of former guard O.J. Mayo, all three have since either de-committed or been granted releases from signed letters of intent.
The addition last month of Kansas transfer Quintrell Thomas left the Rebels with one open scholarship for the upcoming season. They also got a verbal pledge from Houston center Henry Buckley, who will attend prep school in North Carolina next season before coming to UNLV in time for the 2010-11 campaign, putting his name with the lone scholarship the Rebels had to give for that class.
If UNLV does not land a commitment from Johnson, their open scholarship for this season will roll over towards the 2010 class. If they do get Johnson, however, the only way to add players in the 2010 class would be with a current player leaving.
For more on this story as it develops, stay tuned to www.lasvegassun.com/rebels.
Discussion: 28 comments so far…
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Come to Las Vegas, Noel. You can be a part of something special.
It sounds like the visit here went okay. I think the dad is a little more excited about being here than Noel is. But it looks like he is keeping an open mind. Noel it would be nice to have you as a Runnin' Rebel. You would contribute right away to this program. Wish you the best!
Is there a deadline to commit? or is it open ended?
S711
Sinatra ... I don't think there's anything set in stone. I would assume just by the start of the fall semester, which is still nearly two months away.
Why even consider UConn, last thing I heard they were busted for cheating too. Thousands of calls and texts to a single recruit, ridiculing the once per month NCAA rule.
Sinatra ... I don't think there's anything set in stone. I would assume just by the start of the fall semester, which is still nearly two months away.
Well hopefully he doesn't wait that long. I wish he would make a decision much quicker, so he can work-out with his team-mates and get settled in a program right away. The longer he waits, the more I'm convinced he might be thinking about going somewhere else. I sure hope I'm wrong about that though!
Ryan Greene - I don't know what his motivation would be in waiting so long. If he waits too long, like rebelfanforever45 said it will make gelling with his teammates difficult. I'm sure he'll realize that and make a decision soon. It sounds like too much of an open ended situation to me.....I wish there was a summer deadline.
We'll know soon.
S711
JUST A FYI
"Cheese" Johnson said his son could make a decision in as early as seven days.
"We want to have everything done within a week, so where he picks he can get enrolled in summer school," he told Scout.com.
Sinatra....I thought you were a recruiting expert. Why would you ask such a question on this thread? It doesn't matter. I COMMEND you for asking!! COMMEND!
Keep the stupid questions pouring in Sinatra. It brings the real fans comfort that you don't know what the hell you are talking about.
Taking his time and exploring all of his options shows he has a good head on his shoulders.
It's a big decision to decide where your going to be for the next 4 years of your life and not one that should be made hastily.
Multiple choice question:
What is UConn's punishment from the ncaa going to be?
A. Wrist slap
B. Wrist slap
C. Wrist slap
D. Nothing
The more I think about the visit here at UNLV, the more it reminds me of Victor Rudd. He showed some interest, but you just felt like he never really had that desire to come here. I just dont want the kid to come here because his dad pressured him into it. I would like Noel to come because he has the desire to be at UNLV and make this team better. Hopefully he can come to that conclusion real soon.
this kid sounds like a great get for the rebels, good sized swing guard who can bomb, we are the runnin'rebels, but please get us a board banger, our squad needs more intimidation, hope for another addition to Quintrell next year.
BrandonRebelFan - I never.....NEVER said I was a recruiting expert. I have an opinion, just like everybody else. If you don't like it.....DEAL with it. I will express my opinion here whether you like it or not. I asked a question....since you found it stupid....then don't answer it. I don't care.
Next.
S711
It's good to see Kevin hosting Noel Johnson. It's thanks to guys like Kevin, Wink, Rene, Joel, Wendell, and I could go on and on. Those guys are the reason that guys like Noel Johnson are taking a look at us.
"Nevada System of Higher Education officials signed off on the president's request for $1,017 to cover his meals for six days at the system's standard per diem rate for international travel."
That's $84.75 per diem for international travel
wrong article, my bad
Only fitting we would have another player named "Johnson" 20 years after The Big Year...
And since you now know more about the program, you know what I'm talking about! Noel, come join the Runnin' Rebel family bud!
We're getting close to forming a potential final four roster. Bayno had several line-ups in the late 90s that should have had deep tournament runs but it didn't work out that way. Kruger will guide UNLV back to the big stage.
Let's hope so. With everything Kruger is doing right now, in terms of the players being brought in for next season, I think we are definitely on the right track.
Losing Wink, Rene, and Joe D from last season.
Adding Jasper, Stanback, Shaw, Marshall, Hawkins, Lopez, possibly Johnson, with QThomas eligible in 2010.
The additions being made look good at this point, but we'll just have to wait and see.
It's nice to see the team Lon Kruger is putting together. It's looking pretty good on paper. It will be interesting to see how this team comes together. I am trying not to over speculate on how good we are going to be this year after last year, but I really think we have a top notch team that will represent UNLV well. Adding Johnson to our roster could put us over the top.
Any word on why the Xavier visit was canceled?
I heard that it was canceled by Xavier after a talk between Johnson and the coach. It was decided it was not a good match according to CBSsportsline.com
Check out this dunk by Noel Johnson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_EBcLBeS...
Makes you wonder why Xavier backed off him. Is he asking for PT guarantees?
"We want to have everything done within a week, so where he picks he can get enrolled in summer school," he told Scout.com.
http://rebelnation.lvrj.com/2009/06/08/n...
By the sound of things according to the site above Noel Johnson is going to decided by the 15th who knows where he will chose. I really hope we get him.
Ok, it's the 15th......no word yet. Does he have a blog or a MySpace page that might have early indications on his intent?
S711
He's visiting Clemson now...supposedly deciding on Friday...
Noel is not coming to UNLV. HE is deciding between between the Tigers and LSU.
He's a Tiger.