While Division-I college coaches are primarily focused on the NCAA Transfer Portal this spring, as they looked to build their rosters for the fall, for those D-I programs that still like high school prospects to build for the future, Pinnacle High School's very talented and promising 6-foot-7 senior guard/forward Braylon Johnson is worth a very hard look. Johnson is coming off his best high school season to date, and he is one prospect in Arizona's 2024 Class that is definitely on the rise. An excellent sleeper prospect for college programs to pursue, Johnson is a one prospect that should have some good options for himself this spring.
Division-I college coaches will not get out much this spring, as there will be only one viewing period available per NCAA rules this spring (May 17-19). Johnson will likely not benefit from one viewing period this spring, but rather he will have to rely on relationships with college coaches that those in his camp possess. He should be fine in this area, as he comes from unique basketball bloodlines. It will just take a college coach to see his value, and I was able to witness his serious value and potential as a college prospect this weekend in the AZ All-Star Shootout held @ South Mountain Community College. Johnson's body looked terrific, proving that he has worked hard on it since the end to the season. His athleticism and versatility in the game was impressive, and only proved just how good this younger version of the Johnson family can become.
Johnson is the younger brother of NBA Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson and also the younger brother of Donovan "Puff" Johnson, currently a member of Penn State University. Braylon has had a much different path than his two older brothers, as he has had to earn his attention and exposure through hard work and development as a player, while playing for Pinnacle High School, rather than an elite national prep program like his older siblings.
Johnson is coming off the best season of his young career, as he averaged 17.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per/game this season as a senior. In the process, he emerged as one of the top uncommitted 2024 prospects in the state.
Currently Johnson is hearing from numerous college programs, although he is still waiting for the right opportunity to present itself. Johnson does not possess any Division-I offers to his credit, but he is definitely receiving strong interest at many different levels of college recruiting, as he is a very intriguing prospect that comes from strong basketball bloodlines. He is one prospect whose recruitment could become very interesting this spring, as he will definitely be a target for interested college programs. What level of college basketball program he ultimately lands at will be very interesting to see develop, as he has emerged later in the recruiting process than his older brothers for sure. He is a very nice sleeper prospect though for the right college fit.
I will continue to follow Johnson's recruitment closely this spring, and see how it develops over the next month. He could be one prospect that finds a Division-I college home. If not, then a post-graduate year would certainly be a strong option for him.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: A left-hander, like his older brother Puff Johnson, Braylon has become much more assertive offensively, as he more than doubled his statistical numbers this past high school season as a senior, from last year as a junior. He has a nice mid-range game, in which he likes to create scoring opportunities for himself off the dribble. He has a strong handle of the basketball for his size and is capable of creating off the dribble. He definitely has range on his shot, but still needs to be more consistent from longer ranges, and to open up his drives to the basket. A strong finisher and a very good athlete with bounce off the floor - an attractive attribute that he possesses. Has a college-ready body with a nice athletic physique. He also has very good upside as a player, so his best years are well ahead of him. An excellent sleeper prospect and a very good looking young man.
