Florida Gators basketball coach Mike White is gearing up for another year of basketball. The season will have many expectations and many questions will be answered in just over a month. But for now, one of the most important questions has yet to be answered, who will join the 2017 basketball recruiting class?
For Coach White, one name to keep an eye out for is 2017, 6-8 Power Forward Chase Johnson. Johnson, from Huntington, West Virginia is a lanky Power Forward that can score at will and looks to make an impact early in his career wherever he decides to go. Will that be Florida? Only time will tell, but the Gators have already made a lasting impression on the high school senior.
“It’s an amazing place. The campus is beautiful and they’ve got a great coaching staff, great fans and a great community. Everything is great about it, really.”
Many schools are reaching out to the sought after senior from West Virginia, his offers range from Arizona all the way to Tennessee, but for Johnson, the most important part of his decision making process will rely on feel rather than tradition.
“Mainly the feel. Where I fit in. If I’m comfortable and can be myself around the players and coaches then it’s going to be good.”
For many high school basketball recruits, it can be a challenge to stay focused on school when you’re constantly playing and getting ready for the upcoming season, but not for Johnson. He says he has had no trouble staying focused and takes the intense schedule head-on.
“It’s not hard to stay focused. We have long days and stuff like that, but after practice the coaches call.”
Landing Johnson would be huge for the Gators as they only have two commitments heading into the 2016 basketball season. Though, Johnson is reluctant to name leaders at this time, he mentioned that he feels comfortable at Florida and loves the direction the program is going under second year head coach Mike White.
“I felt comfortable at Florida. It’s mainly the culture; they just want great people.”