"Que" The Lights
02.27.2011
By Hal Sundt - hal@hardwoodelite.com
Demarquise Johnson already has the nickname (It's "Que," by the way). He's got the game. He just needs the right school.
Johnson, a 6'5" 195 pound shooting guard out of Westwind Academy in Phoenix, Arizona, has been entertaining offers from schools around the country. His list looks like a who's who in college basketball with Arizona State, Gonzaga, Oregon, Oregon State, Colorado Univesity, the Universtiy of Virginia, the University Minnesota, the University of California, the University of Washington, Washington State, San Diego State University, Boston College, Auburn University and the University of Southern California having all offered him scholarships. At this point point Gonzaga, ASU, SDSU and Minnesota are the front-runners, according to Johnson.
With so many suitors, Johnson is quick to assert that location is not a restraining factor for him when considering schools. "Location doesn't matter at all," says Johnson. "I'm from Michigan and I've been living in Arizona for the past couple years so it's not that big of a deal."
What then, does Johnson consider when being recruited?
"The main couple reasons are, will I play my freshmen year and the fans around the area," Johnson explains.
Having already visited SDSU and ASU, Johnson would also like to visit Gonzaga, Minnesota, Oregon State and California before he makes his decision, which he plans to do in either the upcoming summer or by early next season. As one of the top prospects in the class of 2012, Johnson looks to continue refining his game this summer with his AAU squad Team Eleate. Until then, he remains slightly under the radar.
If you search "Demarquise Johnson" on YouTube, a few videos for an MMA fighter, named Demarques Johnson are at the top of the list. However, hidden inside a video titled "Westwind vs. Fountain" is Demarquise, not Demarques. It's hard to find him at because the footage is grainy and the camera occasionally shakes. About one minute into the video a player catches a lob off of a back screen from the left wing. Maybe it's Johnson, maybe it's not. But with a guy who has as much talent as Johnson does, its unlikely that he'll stay hidden for long.
In a little over a year Johnson will not only have the nickname and the game, but a school as well. My bet is by that point, the dude with the nickname and the game will probably have a few more highlights as well.
