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The Florida Men’s Basketball team has welcomed four freshmen to their largely veteran team. Among them is 6’9″, 205 pound forward Chase Johnson. Rated a four star recruit by ESPN, there is reason to be excited for his next couple of years with the Gators.
https://twitter.com/GatorsMBK/status/915310111639457795
Why Johnson Chose Florida
A West Virginia native, Chase Johnson has always had an eye on the Florida Gators. His father Chad, was also a high school athlete having played basketball at Poca High School in West Virginia. Growing up playing and watching basketball, Johnson said his father and he were always Florida Basketball fans.
Johnson received a number of offers from top NCAA basketball programs. He was considering Virginia Tech, Tennessee and West Virginia up until he heard from the University of Florida. After visiting the program in mid-September of last year, he felt most at home in Florida. Johnson says that the combination of Florida’s academics, the basketball program, and the staff and players, led him to commit to UF.
https://twitter.com/_johnson_1/status/783022845861462017
What Johnson Brings
Chase Johnson averaged 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game at Ripley High School, before transferring to Huntington Prep School, the same school that produced the likes of Andrew Wiggins, Xavier Rathan-Mayes, and Moses Kingsley. In high school, he was also named second-team all-state.
He is a dynamic forward, a great sprinter down the floor, and he can play the stretch-4 position as well. ESPN.com described him as “a young and blossoming forward with notable upside because he combines athleticism, a foundation of skill and a good nose for the ball.”
At forward, a freshman from Riley, WV #1 @_johnson_1 #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/dt4vkhx7Fu
— Gators M-Basketball (@GatorsMBK) August 9, 2017
Johnson believes he he can bring a lot to the table for the Gators this year. As a freshman he understands that there will be a fight for playing time, however, he believes in his abilities to help the team.
Coach Mike White said that Johnson is one of the hardest workers in the gym. Only freshman teammate Deaundrae Ballard has clocked in more hours than him at the gym this preseason. Coach White has seen how hard Johnson is working to battle for game time and the depth he brings to the team.
Coming Up
The Florida Basketball season is rapidly approaching and Johnson is ready to start his college career with the Gators and hopes to make his mark. He’s most excited to play at the O’Connell Center in front of the fans, particularly the Rowdy Reptiles.
https://twitter.com/MBKRowdies/status/888150916263800833
The Gators have an exhibition game against the University of Tampa on Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The season kicks off a week later as the Gators take on Gardner-Webb, and SEC play begins on Dec. 30 when the Gators host Vanderbilt.
