Purdue Lands Key Class Of 2010 Recruit From Chicago

October 6, 2008

5:00 P.M. CST

We have learned from most reliable sources that Anthony Johnson, the 6'2 class of 2010 shooting guard from Whitney Young High School in Chicago has verbally committed to Purdue University.  Johnson chose the Boilermakers over offers from Iowa State, Notre Dame, Marquette, Miami-Florida and others.

While the timing of Johnson's commitment may come as a bit of a surprise to some, it is not that big of a shocker when one considers how fast-paced college basketball recruiting has become and how quickly things can turn.  With that being said, landing Johnson offers further proof as to why Boilermaker head coach Matt Painter is simply one of the best recruiters in the game.

It had been long thought that Johnson was a heavy lean to Ohio State and that he would commit to the Buckeyes during the summer after taking an unofficial visit to Columbus.  However, things did not pan out that way and as a result Painter and his assistants seized the opportunity.  Simply put, the Boilermaker coaching staff never gave up in their effort to land Johnson,  made him one of their top recruiting priorities in the 2010 class from day one and got him on campus during the summer as well.

Johnson told us that there were a number of factors behind him choosing Purdue, including the coaching staff, the style of play that Painter intends to implement, the academics and the convenience of remaining close to him and his family being able to see him play.  However, there was another key ingredient that seemed to stand out.

"I really like the direction that the Purdue program is headed," Johnson said.  I feel that I can be part of a team that has a chance of getting to the Final Four and even winning a national championship.  There is a high level of expectation."

Johnson ranks among our top five prospects in Illinois from the class of 2010 and is an outstanding 3-point shooter who is able to get his shot from most anywhere on the floor.  While he has been labeled by some as being one-dimensional, he has shown us that he does have a high degree of versatility to his game, as he is capable of putting the ball on the floor and getting to the basket and is also a tremendous no-look passer.  In addition, Johnson can also reek havoc defensively with his ability to get into the passing lanes. 

To top everything off, Johnson has a work ethic that is second to none and has a burning desire to continue to improve.   That is evidenced by what Johnson told us his focus will be now that his recruitment is over with.

"I am going to continue to work out, work hard and try to get even better," Johnson said.

Kudos must also go out to Purdue assistant coach Rick Ray, who did an outstanding job recruiting Johnson and stuck to him like glue throughout the spring and summer while watching him on the traveling team circuit with the Illinois Warriors.  It is yet one more reason why we consider Ray to be among the top five Chicago area recruiters among any assistant coach in D1 college basketball. 

Anthony Johnson becomes Purdue's third commitment from the class of 2010, as he joins 6'2 point guard Terone Johnson from North Central High School in Indianapolis and 6'9 center Travis Carroll from Danville High School in Danville, IN.

Continue to check in with Illinois Prep Bulls-eye for all of the latest as it pertains to high school basketball and recruiting in Illinois.