San Diego State Photo
Keshad Johnson’s AAU coach, Dan Manning, says they had a “great time” on Johnson’s recruiting visit to Kentucky last week and a commitment decision should be coming Saturday.
The San Diego State transfer was back in California Sunday for his college graduation and will make his college announcement from his home in Oakland Saturday. He’s down to UK, Arizona, USC, Texas Tech and Oklahoma.
Manning said one of the visit highlight was seeing the memorabilia in Kentucky coach John Calipari’s office and viewing the accomplishments Calipari has had.
“What he’s done over time was breathtaking,” Manning said on WLAP Sunday Morning Sports Talk.
Johnson started all 39 games he played in last season when San Diego State reached the national title game and averaged 7.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. He shot only 26.2 percent from 3 last season, but defense is his forte and he’s known as a lockdown defender who can guard any position.
Manning said they were interested in how Kentucky would use the “dynamic pieces” coming next season along with the returning players and how Johnson might fit in.
“With so many things and such a high profile schedule, we just wondered how the pieces would fit,” Manning said. “Cal has been a master at making things work.”
However, they were looking at more than just playing time.
“We also looked at how guys get better and push one another in that environment every day,” Manning said. “A big part of what we are looking for is getting better on the court and understanding the game at a higher level. That’s what Cal has been able to do for guys … not just get them to the league but stay there a long time.”
Manning said Johnson was not worried about what specific position he might play in part because he’s versatile enough to play almost any position.
“What Keshad is looking for is to be a leader and win. Whatever that entails, he’s open to that,” his former AAU coach said Sunday morning.
One Response
He would be a great fit at UK next year in his game and leadership. We lacked leadership last season with all the transfers no one stepped up to do this. It is crazy but remember the 2012 team with AD, etc Miller was the glue that held this team together with all its talent that year. But this is needed to win a title and season player to step up and push his team mates to the next level of play to win big games. A coach can only coach but a leader leads on the court