SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Phillip Johnson of Arroyo Grande To Stay Local,
Will Sign With Cal Poly--(Nov. 8, 2000)

We sort of thought this was going to be the way things would turn out for Arroyo Grande's Phillip Johnson (6'-11" Sr. C),  and it appears that at least for the next few hours, Cal Poly SLO Mustangs' coach Jeff Schneider will be waiting to receive a signed NLI from the big center who was also being recruited by Washington State, and who played club and travel ball with Darren "Mats" Matsubara's EBO squad alongside DeShawn Stevenson of the Utah Jazz.

Today's Cal Poly SLO Tribune News   featured a nice, short little article on the Mustang's top recruit, and the need for a big man on the Cal Poly campus.  Here are some excerpts (the full story is located at the link to the paper's website):

"There is no big early recruiting class from the Cal Poly basketball team this season, said coach Jeff Schneider, unless he gets the one player he wants. The Mustangs, who last season signed national recruit Jamaal Scott from Arizona and Texas prep Varney Dennis, have been in pursuit of Arroyo Grande High School’s 6-11 Phillip Johnson and few others.

Phillip Johnson (6'-11" Sr. C) photo: Cal Poly SLO Tribune File Photo

"National letter of intent begins today, allowing high school senior athletes in all sports except football and soccer to sign scholarships with a university. It’s usually the culmination of months and sometimes years of recruiting. While NCAA rules prevented Schneider from commenting on Johnson, the touted prep has visited Cal Poly’s practice twice the past two weeks. Arroyo Grande High coach Jeff Byars said he and Johnson were waiting for the paperwork to arrive from Cal Poly. After it is received, Johnson will sign with the Mustangs.

"Johnson is a three-time all-San Luis Obispo County player, who last season was named the county’s player of the year. He has averaged 15.7 points in three varsity seasons, including 17.9 as a junior. “We’re hoping we can sign one and maybe look at a couple JC guys,” said Schneider, who will have five scholarships available — from four seniors and one left over from last year. The need for community college players would create class balance, Schneider said. Currently, James Grace III is the only sophomore on the roster. Two of the four seniors are in the frontcourt in standouts Chris Bjorklund and Jeremiah Mayes. The other seniors are guards Watende Favors and Michael Burris. “We’re going to really study the JCs before making a decision,” said Schneider, taking a more wait-and-see approach compared to his aggressive focus on high school recruiting of the past. The Mustangs were 10-18 a year ago, 5-11 in the Big West Conference."

Cal Poly is a team in serious need of height for next season, and a commitment from Johnson would certainly help.  Take a look at the roster and consider that their two tallest players, Jeremiah Mayes and Chris Bjorklund will both be leaving, making Varney Dennis and David Henry, both at 6'-7" the tallest guys on the squad.  For now, the Cal Poly SLO official baskteball website is silent about whether Johnson's NLI has been received by the school. . .when it has, we'll report it here.

Cal Poly SLO Mustang's 2000-2001 Roster:

 
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