Ricardo Johnson

is from Covington.

There has been plenty of talk around the state of Kentucky about what high school basketball player is the best of the talented Class of 2010.

And there are a bunch of opinions.

One player that is getting more consideration for that top spot is Covington Holmes guard Ricardo Johnson, who helped the Bullodgs to the Sweet 16 championship game last season.

The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Johnson is getting serious interest from some of the top Division I schools in the country. He was a visitor at Big Blue Madness last weekend in Lexington.

"I'm just trying to take it all in," Johnson said.

Johnson said Xavier, Kentucky, Georgetown, Cincinnati, Indiana, Butler, Akron, Western Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky have shown the most interest. He noted that Louisville has started to take an interest, along with several others.

http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/blog.html


The Sweet 16 runner-up last season was Covington Holmes and coach Dave Henley will field a squad this winter that could make it back to the title game.

Henley will have two of the top juniors in the state in Ricardo Johnson and Elijah Pittman.

The 6-foot-4 Johnson is getting serious Division I interest from Kentucky, Indiana, Xavier, Cincinnati, Louisville and a number of others, while the 6-foot-6 Pittman (photo, left) was a star at the Sweet 16 last season and is also a major Division I prospect.

The Bulldogs will get out and about around the state this season.

One of the best early-season games pits the Bulldogs against likely preseason No. 1 Scott County on Dec. 14 at Northern Kentucky University.

Here's an update on Ric from the Adidas Take 5ive.

Johnson Shines at Take 5ive

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Originally Posted by therick44

Here's an update on Ric from the Adidas Take 5ive.

Johnson Shines at Take 5ive

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I saw this earlier and I had to assume it was you who wrote it, correct?

Either way, thanks for all the great recruiting insight. You really know you're stuff.

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Originally Posted by AviatorX

I saw this earlier and I had to assume it was you who wrote it, correct?

Either way, thanks for all the great recruiting insight. You really know you're stuff.

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Yes sir. Thanks I appreciate it.

Here's his Rivals site:

http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewpr...2&pr_key=80927

He's a 6'6", 190 lb. Small Forward from Holmes HS in Covington, KY. According to Rivals, we are on his list, and Chris Mack is recruiting him, but we have yet to offer.

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Originally Posted by dto

Here's his Rivals site:

http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewpr...2&pr_key=80927

He's a 6'6", 190 lb. Small Forward from Holmes HS in Covington, KY. According to Rivals, we are on his list, and Chris Mack is recruiting him, but we have yet to offer.

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He's about 6'5 at best and the nice thing about Ric is he will probably be playing the point this year for Holmes. Even still he is more of a wing possibly a combo guard depending on how well he progresses on the ball.

Unfortunately for him, Mack and a few X assistants watched him Monday night when he really didn't play well. They weren't at the games on Wednesday when he really showed off his full capabilities.

I really think he is a MAC level player, but could thrive against that competition.

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Originally Posted by therick44

I really think he is a MAC level player, but could thrive against that competition.

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rick44, you say he's a MAC-level player, but I have two questions. Do you think there's room to develop? And, do you think X really has an interest in this kid, or was he a carry-over from when Mack was an assistant?

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Originally Posted by dto

rick44, you say he's a MAC-level player, but I have two questions. Do you think there's room to develop? And, do you think X really has an interest in this kid, or was he a carry-over from when Mack was an assistant?

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Room to develop... Yes.

As far as X being interested... I'd say they have an eye on him, but aren't aggressively pursuing him. He says that they've been in contact since the end of the high school season, so whether that's 100% or not I'm not sure but I wouldn't doubt it.

His biggest issue is playing for the coach that he currently plays for with the AAU team. The guy is maybe the dumbest man I've ever heard speak and no one wants to deal with him including coaches and scouts.

Bottom line: He's not worthy of an offer from X at this point. This is a kid I'm around a ton and he has my cell number, so I'll know about it if he hears from X.

I do not think the the muted interest stems from how he plays basketball.

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Originally Posted by therick44

Room to develop... Yes.

As far as X being interested... I'd say they have an eye on him, but aren't aggressively pursuing him. He says that they've been in contact since the end of the high school season, so whether that's 100% or not I'm not sure but I wouldn't doubt it.

His biggest issue is playing for the coach that he currently plays for with the AAU team. The guy is maybe the dumbest man I've ever heard speak and no one wants to deal with him including coaches and scouts.

Bottom line: He's not worthy of an offer from X at this point. This is a kid I'm around a ton and he has my cell number, so I'll know about it if he hears from X.

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Rick, thanks for the info. Is Queencityhigh a free site?

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Originally Posted by xsteve1

Rick, thanks for the info. Is Queencityhoops a free site?

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He can probably answer better, but I'll give it a shot:

It's QueenCityHigh.com, and it's a part of the Rivals network in the same way that MusketeerScoop.com is. There are a few people who put up stuff solely for QCH but at the same time there are a decent amount of articles that involve prospects or teams from around the area that get posted on there. (For example, if Snow wrote an article on McKenzie from Moeller, I THINK it would go on QueenCityHigh.)

There's also a message board, which I'm not sure if it is insider access only or not.

I'm sure rick can correct or elaborate on whatever I missed, but I think that's the basics.

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Originally Posted by AviatorX

He can probably answer better, but I'll give it a shot:

It's QueenCityHigh.com, and it's a part of the Rivals network in the same way that MusketeerScoop.com is. There are a few people who put up stuff solely for QCH but at the same time there are a decent amount of articles that involve prospects or teams from around the area that get posted on there. (For example, if Snow wrote an article on McKenzie from Moeller, I THINK it would go on QueenCityHigh.)

There's also a message board, which I'm not sure if it is insider access only or not.

I'm sure rick can correct or elaborate on whatever I missed, but I think that's the basics.

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Yep for the most part you nailed it.

The message boards on QCH are FREE... Anyone is more than welcome to go talk about high school sports on there. The more the merrier. We don't take it too serious and we don't get all into moderating it too much, so go ahead and trash talk.

The way the Rivals network works as AviatorX mentioned is any membersite on the network can link to anyone else's story... So as he mentioned if Musketeerscoop or Bearcatlair post a recruiting story about a local kid we can link to it. We do produce a lot of original content on there as well that other people link to...

There are premium stories that you have to be a paying member to read but if you are a premium member on any site you can read the premium features on any other site.... If that makes any sense? So for example if you pay to belong to Queencityhigh you can also read all of Snow's premium content at Musketeerscoop or vice versa.

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Originally Posted by Title_BU

I do not think the the muted interest stems from how he plays basketball.

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Are you referring to his current AAU coach?

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Originally Posted by xsteve1

Rick, thanks for the info. Is Queencityhigh a free site?

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BTW if anyone is interested we are offering a free 30 day premium membership trial right now... I can help you get registered if you are interested.

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Originally Posted by therick44

So for example if you pay to belong to Queencityhigh you can also read all of Snow's premium content at Musketeerscoop or vice versa.

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Very good to hear considering I'm a payng memeber to Musketeerhoops.com.

Thanks for the info!

Just got off the phone with Ric about an hour ago.

Ohio University offered him tonight.

Here is some recent video of Ricardo Johnson:

http://www.kentuckysportsnetwork.com...AVideo%3A58666

Quote:

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Originally Posted by therick44

He's about 6'5 at best and the nice thing about Ric is he will probably be playing the point this year for Holmes. Even still he is more of a wing possibly a combo guard depending on how well he progresses on the ball.

Unfortunately for him, Mack and a few X assistants watched him Monday night when he really didn't play well. They weren't at the games on Wednesday when he really showed off his full capabilities.

I really think he is a MAC level player, but could thrive against that competition.

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Ricardo has really improved since the end of the high school season. One of the biggest things that's surprised me from the times I've seen him over the summer is how noticably stronger he's gotten when finishing at the rim. Several games I've seen him get absolutely hacked but he's been strong enough to hang and finish for the "and one."

His 3 point shot and ability to create off the dribble has also improved as well. Still has a few kinks to work out, but he's going to be tough to handle this coming year for anyone in the state of Kentucky.

I'd have to disagree that he is a MAC level player. He could easily play at a BCS or high major program. He wouldn't come in and start, but he would be a contributor off the bench and as a starter all 4 years. At a MAC school, he would come in right away and play and by the time he was a junior or senior be one of the best players in the league...just my personal opinion from seeing him probably 50 + times over the past two years.

With the schedule that his Holmes team is playing this coming season, we'll know a lot more about his game and how it translates to the next level. If he has a good season running the point, don't be surprised if some of the "big boys" come calling because of his size. I'm really looking forward to the Holmes/Princeton match up and seeing him and Jordan Sibert go at it.

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Originally Posted by kentuckyhighschoolpreps

Ricardo has really improved since the end of the high school season. One of the biggest things that's surprised me from the times I've seen him over the summer is how noticably stronger he's gotten when finishing at the rim. Several games I've seen him get absolutely hacked but he's been strong enough to hang and finish for the "and one."

His 3 point shot and ability to create off the dribble has also improved as well. Still has a few kinks to work out, but he's going to be tough to handle this coming year for anyone in the state of Kentucky.

I'd have to disagree that he is a MAC level player. He could easily play at a BCS or high major program. He wouldn't come in and start, but he would be a contributor off the bench and as a starter all 4 years. At a MAC school, he would come in right away and play and by the time he was a junior or senior be one of the best players in the league...just my personal opinion from seeing him probably 50 + times over the past two years.

With the schedule that his Holmes team is playing this coming season, we'll know a lot more about his game and how it translates to the next level. If he has a good season running the point, don't be surprised if some of the "big boys" come calling because of his size. I'm really looking forward to the Holmes/Princeton match up and seeing him and Jordan Sibert go at it.

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So those schools aren't offering because...??

They don't know about him?

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Originally Posted by therick44

So those schools aren't offering because...??

They don't know about him?

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Just because he doesn't have any offers from any of those schools, doesn't mean he isn't good enough to play at that level. If Vee Sanford is considered good enough to play in the Big East, then I don't see how you can say Ricardo Johnson isn't, especially considering Rico is 6'5 and able to run the point. I never once said he'd be a star. I simply stated he was talented enough to play at a Mississippi St or Oklahoma St and be a contributor, whether it be off the bench ; or as a starter in the long run.

It's still early in the process. Ricardo has a full senior year to impress college coaches/scouts and pick up more offers and decide where he wants to go. Right now he's just working on becoming a more complete player.

Also, it's been stated that he doesn't plan on committing until AFTER his senior season is finished. A lot can happen between now and then.

BTW, Bradley is considered to be in a high major conference (MVC) and they've already offered. The conferences are broken down as followed for basketball:

BCS- ACC, Big 12, Big 10, Big East, Pac-10, SEC
High Major- Atlantic 10, Conference USA, MVC (Bradley), MWC, WAC
Mid Major- Big West, Colonial, Horizon, MAC (Ohio U), MAAC, Southern, Sunbelt, WCC

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Originally Posted by kentuckyhighschoolpreps

Just because he doesn't have any offers from any of those schools, doesn't mean he isn't good enough to play at that level. If Vee Sanford is considered good enough to play in the Big East, then I don't see how you can say Ricardo Johnson isn't, especially considering Rico is 6'5 and able to run the point. I never once said he'd be a star. I simply stated he was talented enough to play at a Mississippi St or Oklahoma St and be a contributor, whether it be off the bench ; or as a starter in the long run.

It's still early in the process. Ricardo has a full senior year to impress college coaches/scouts and pick up more offers and decide where he wants to go. Right now he's just working on becoming a more complete player.

Also, it's been stated that he doesn't plan on committing until AFTER his senior season is finished. A lot can happen between now and then.

BTW, Bradley is considered to be in a high major conference (MVC) and they've already offered. The conferences are broken down as followed for basketball:

BCS- ACC, Big 12, Big 10, Big East, Pac-10, SEC
High Major- Atlantic 10, Conference USA, MVC (Bradley), MWC, WAC
Mid Major- Big West, Colonial, Horizon, MAC (Ohio U), MAAC, Southern, Sunbelt, WCC

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But you're saying a year from now... I'm saying right now he's a MAC level player. He'd thrive in a mid-major environment. Could he get better? Yes... But for now he's a Mid-Major type kid for a variety of reasons.

Also, I never said anything about Vee Sanford.

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Originally Posted by therick44

But you're saying a year from now... I'm saying right now he's a MAC level player. He'd thrive in a mid-major environment. Could he get better? Yes... But for now he's a Mid-Major type kid for a variety of reasons.

Also, I never said anything about Vee Sanford.

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Fair enough.

The level that a kid is capable of playing at and the level that he is actually at are two commonly confused things.

What's your reasoning for thinking he's a MAC player right now?

I'm just loving the fact that we can debate whether or not a kid is talented enough for Xavier.

For 90% of schools in the country its the other way around.

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Originally Posted by kentuckyhighschoolpreps

BTW, Bradley is considered to be in a high major conference (MVC) and they've already offered. The conferences are broken down as followed for basketball:

BCS- ACC, Big 12, Big 10, Big East, Pac-10, SEC
High Major- Atlantic 10, Conference USA, MVC (Bradley), MWC, WAC
Mid Major- Big West, Colonial, Horizon, MAC (Ohio U), MAAC, Southern, Sunbelt, WCC

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Yeah I like to make up criteria, too.

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Originally Posted by kyxu

Yeah I like to make up criteria, too.

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Actually, my information came for a site...not just made up.

Link:
http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/rise-...e-review-59978

Scroll down toward the bottom and you'll see where the list came from.

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Originally Posted by kentuckyhighschoolpreps

Actually, my information came for a site...not just made up.

Link:
http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/rise-...e-review-59978

Scroll down toward the bottom and you'll see where the list came from.

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You do realize that anyone can write for that site right?

It's like bleacherreport.com.

Also, Ric got an offer from Marshall tonight... They are CUSA so I'll let KyPreps fill you in on to how major that offer would be.

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Originally Posted by therick44

Also, Ric got an offer from Marshall tonight... They are CUSA so I'll let KyPreps fill you in on to how major that offer would be.

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Where did I ever say any of his offers were big time or major?

No need to put words in someone's mouth.

And yes I know that anyone can write for that site...I also know that it's not too hard to become a writer for queencityhigh.com either... I know Dan very well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kentuckyhighschoolpreps

Actually, my information came for a site...not just made up.

Link:
http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/rise-...e-review-59978

Scroll down toward the bottom and you'll see where the list came from.

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Regardless, it's a ridiculous breakdown.

Yes, Wyoming and UTEP are "high" majors. And yet, Xavier struggles to shake the "mid" major label everywhere else.

"BCS" has absolutely nothing to do with basketball.

If he were to be able to get his ACT score up to around 21, I'm pretty sure Butler would pursue him. (he's always been fairly high, in terms of evaluation) But, he doesn't seem to be in a rush to re-take.

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Originally Posted by Title_BU

If he were to be able to get his ACT score up to around 21, I'm pretty sure Butler would pursue him. (he's always been fairly high, in terms of evaluation) But, he doesn't seem to be in a rush to re-take.

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Ricardo wouldn't be able to take the ACT until atleast September. That's the first day you can take it from now. I spoke with him a few days ago and he said he DOES plan on re taking it...he didn't give me a date though.

September 12, October 24, December 12, February 6, and April 10th are the dates that it can be taken DURING the school year. The last one is in June.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kyxu

Regardless, it's a ridiculous breakdown.

Yes, Wyoming and UTEP are "high" majors. And yet, Xavier struggles to shake the "mid" major label everywhere else.

"BCS" has absolutely nothing to do with basketball.

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Xavier is far from the status of a mid major. I don't know very many coaches or scouts, if any, who would even mention mid major in the same sentence as Xavier anymore.

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Originally Posted by kentuckyhighschoolpreps

Where did I ever say any of his offers were big time or major?

No need to put words in someone's mouth.

And yes I know that anyone can write for that site...I also know that it's not too hard to become a writer for queencityhigh.com either... I know Dan very well.

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LOL... That has nothing to do with what I said. You don't write for that site... I'm not bashing your work. I'm saying that list that you post is just some bogus fans ideas of whats major, mid-major etc.

I do enjoy your comments on the enquirer's site though.

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Originally Posted by kentuckyhighschoolpreps

Xavier is far from the status of a mid major. I don't know very many coaches or scouts, if any, who would even mention mid major in the same sentence as Xavier anymore.

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Just curious how many coaches or scouts do you know period?

therick,

do you have to know coaches and scouts to have opinions about your favorite team or a player? I appreciate your insights on recruiting information but you are coming off as a little pompous on this thread. You don't think Ricardo is as talented as kyhspreps does, end of story.

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Originally Posted by therick44

Just curious how many coaches or scouts do you know period?

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I know enough scouts and coaches to know that Ricardo is better than you're giving him credit for. The biggest thing that hurts him as a prospect is his AAU team doesn't ever compete in the national tournaments because 1) his aau coach can't get certified for them through the NCAA and 2) they simply don't have the overall size, talent, or depth to compete with the elite programs around the country. Despite those variables though, Ricardo is still considered the best prospect in KY.

If Ricardo was a MAC level player, Huggins and Cronin wouldn't have been in the Holmes gym last summer (several times) to see both him and his teammate Elijah Pittman. Ricardo also needs to improve his ACT score, which is another reason some of the bigger schools haven't offered. Once he re takes it in either September or October, as long as he improves, you'll see bigger offers come.

IMO I would be shocked if he was offered by X. I think he would end up being an afterthought like Pettigrew was who ended up at Western.