With many of the state's top high school and junior college prospects now falling off the recruiting board for Arizona's 2023 Class, there are still numerous top-rated prospects still on the board for college programs to get involved with quickly, before it is too late to land one of these top performers. One of the better junior college prospects still available in Arizona's junior college ranks is Chandler-Gilbert Junior College's 6-foot-7, 190-pound sophomore wing Jalen Johnson. Johnson has flown well below the recruiting radar for some time, but is a very good looking prospect and a nice sleeper for college programs to recruit late in the recruiting process.
Johnson has been on my radar for numerous years, and I have always marveled at his size, length and offensive skillset. He has been well traveled since I first saw him at Bella Vista Prep four years ago, as a standout junior prospect. He played at a nice level for Bella Vista, and also did a post-graduate year at the school. He then picked up his game last season at Pima Junior College under Head Coach Brian Peabody, before landing at Chandler-Gilbert Junior College this past season. This season under Head Coach Steve Silsby, Johnson helped lead Chandler-Gilbert to a 21-10 overall record, as Chandler-Gilbert competed for an ACCAC Division-II Conference Title, before falling late in the season. Johnson had his best junior college season and posted good numbers - 10.5 points and 4.7 rebounds, while shooting 50% from the field.
Currently, Johnson is still looking to make his college decision, but has flown well below the recruiting radar due to the NCAA Transfer Portal. This young man is a very nice talent and he is older with loads of playing experience now, and is able to step right in and contribute at a four-year college program.
Johnson is a very nice looking prospect for the wing position. A very skilled, long and rangy athlete with good athleticism. He is an excellent shooter with nice range on his shot and shoots high at his release point. He has a pure shooting stroke. He still has upside as a player and is fundamentally sound. He is very skilled, and is a good ball handler and passer. He has excellent length of body and size for the wing position, and is a very attractive looking prospect. He is a mid-major Division-I level talent and would be an excellent prospect for a smaller college program.
I will continue to follow Johnson closely this spring and bring you any recruiting updates, as they begin to develop for him late in the recruiting process. This young man is an excellent junior college sleeper prospect.
