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Tennessee basketball: Keon Johnson is a must get for the Vols

By Billy Williford

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: Smokey, the mascot of the Tennessee Volunteers, performs during a time out in the second half against the Wright State Raiders in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: Smokey, the mascot of the Tennessee Volunteers, performs during a time out in the second half against the Wright State Raiders in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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2020 four-star recruit Keon Johnson is a must get for Rick Barnes and the Tennessee basketball program next season. Right now, the Vols look like the landing spot.

Tennessee has never been great at keeping in-state talent playing for the Vols. Recent names that come to mind are Tee Higgins (Clemson WR) and Cade Mays (Georgia OT). Others in the past include Jalen Ramsey (Florida State CB), Marlon Brown (Georgia WR).

On the basketball side of things, the Vols missed out on five-star prospect Darius Garland (Vanderbilt) last season. Other players that come to mind were combo guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Kentucky), Braxton Key (Alabama), and Alex Poythress (Kentucky).

Now I fairness, Jordan Bone was the 5th highest rated recruit in the 2016 class. Five-star Robert Hubbs was the top-ranked recruit in 2013. And, back in 2012, Jarnell Stokes became a Vol.

Looking at the 2020 class, the Vols pushed all in on four-star Keon Johnson out of The Webb School in Bell Buckle, TN. According to 247Sports Composite rankings, the 6-foot-5, 180 pounder is ranked 30th nationally, 7th shooting guard in the nation, and the top-ranked prospect from Tennessee.

Johnson is an explosive athlete with a world of potential. He can knock down the three-point shot, but his best game is slashing to the rim where he can finish on anyone and is fantastic at finding opening teammates.

Keon is an NBA talent, and right now there are seven crystal ball predictions, and all seven give Tennessee the nod. Jerry Meyer, the Director of Basketball Scouting for 247Sports, is six-for-seven predictions on players from the 2020 class.

If Tennessee could land Johnson, he would join four-star small forward Corey Walker who has already committed to Tennessee. Other guys that hold offers from the Vols are Jaden Springer (11), Bryce Thompson (62), P.J. Hall (65), Matthew Murrell (85), and many more.

Next. Ranking Vols last 10 seasons with first-year coordinator. dark

Rick Barnes found himself in a very tough position with the departure of four starters this summer. We shouldn’t feel sorry or offer a pass in recruiting for the third highest paid college basketball coach in the land. However, if Barnes can complete the 2020 class with the way it is looking now, the program should be just fine.

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