Michigan Basketball: Brandon Johns Found A Home In Ann Arbor
It's the rare in-state basketball recruit that leaves East Lansing for Ann Arbor. Forward Robert Henderson (1980s), in fact, is the only one that comes to mind. But East Lansing High's Brandon Johns blazed his own trail when he chose the Wolverines over Michigan State, Indiana and Purdue Thursday.
Despite reports to the contrary, this one seemed to be trending toward U-M for about a year. There was still always a question as to whether or not Johns would be able to pull the trigger, but Rivals.com's No. 43 prospect nationally did June 29 ... and he did it with no regrets and no looking back.
A June 23 visit to the College Practice Camp sealed the deal.
"I thought Michigan was the best fit for me," Johns said. "I feel like I'd have a great opportunity there and I'd be running in a good spot."
But it was more than just that, he continued.
"Also, I was once told that you don't need to choose the college, because the college will choose you. I felt like when I was there for the basketball camp, it was just speaking to me. I just had a gut feeling that that was the place for me."
Johns plans to play the small forward and power forward positions for the Wolverines, and his skills at both spots were on display during last week's camp. He was outstanding playing through contact — even initiating it with the ball in his hands — and off the dribble with crossovers and an array of moves, a huge step forward over the last year. He's been more aggressive on the glass and got after it defensively.
Those skills have been on display all spring, and he's become a leader, Spiece Indy Heat coach Dan Kline said last month, taking the fight to his opponent.
When it came time to decide, Johns couldn't look past the fact that head coach John Beilein and his staff had an offense that seems made for him, and a track record for developing players and putting them in the NBA.
"I like how freely I'll be able to play, and I think their style of play fits mine perfectly," he said. "I have a great relationship with Coach B. and Saddi ... Saddi and I are from the same area, so we just connect in that aspect and it was just easy to become close."
In Johns the Wolverines get the reigning Class A player of the year and one of the favorites for next year's Michigan Mr. Basketball Award. Johns averaged 20.4 points per game last year and seems to have found yet another gear.
They also get another high character kid who fits the mold of what Beilein looks for in a player, the latest positive step forward for a program that's back on the rise.
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