By: 
Daniel Poneman
June 18th, 2008

After a stellar showing at the Nike Hoop Jamboree this past weekend, class of 2010 prospect Anthony Johnson of Whitney Young High School got a chance to chat with Illinoishsbasketball.com and update the basketball world on his recruitment and other happenings in his world. After speaking to the head coach of a Big 10 school today, Johnson also named a new leader in his recruitment.

“I talked to Coach Major and Coach Matta [Ohio State] today and the talk went really well,” said Johnson. “I think right now I could say Ohio State is my new leader.  I like Ohio State a whole lot … I also like Iowa, Purdue, Illinois, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Texas and some others.”

The 6-3 combo guard performed well this past weekend at the Hoop Jamboree, a Nike sponsored event in St. Louis, Missouri that featured most of the elite underclassmen in the nation. Other Illinois prospects in attendance included Crandall Head, Wayne Blackshear, Mike Shaw, Reggie Smith and Brandon Spearman.

“It [the Jamboree] went really well,” Johnson said. “Playing against the top players in the country; it was nice to see where I am at and how I match up with them. I did pretty good overall the whole weekend … I liked the unique things we learned there, like what to eat before games and stuff.”

Johnson will suit up this season for a Whitney Young squad that is the early front runner for the state title. Playing alongside Anthony will be Chris Colvin, Marcus Jordan, Ahmad Starks, Stan Brown and many other talented players. Last year Young was equally as talented, but was ousted fairly early in the playoffs by Mt. Carmel.

“I am working hard to come in next year and help us get there,” Anthony said of the state championship game in Peoria. “We have a lot of seniors and a lot of experience. The key is better team chemistry. We can’t have anyone being selfish and we can’t have anyone worrying about our ego. Sometimes people worry about fame, but I think if we win games we all get fame.”

Anthony ranks amongst the top three players in Illinois for the class of 2010.