Indiana basketball among programs that reached out to Kansas decommit Chris Johnson

The Indiana basketball program has one available scholarship left for the 2023-24 season and are keeping options open. That means even a late signing in the 2023 recruiting class.

Two weeks ago, 2023 four-star guard Chris Johnson asked for a release from his NLI to Kansas and re-opened his recruitment. It came just a few days before his expected arrival on campus.

Most freshmen start arriving in early June.

According to 247Sports analyst Brandon Jenkins, the Hoosiers have made initial contact with Johnson. Other programs noted were Miami, Memphis, Texas, UCLA, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Washington.

It isn’t clear how ‘involved’ Indiana will be at the moment. Mike Woodson has been evident that he isn’t going to use a scholarship to use it. The 2024 class is expecting to be a big one for the Hoosiers, so keeping future options open may be the route.

Johnson is originally from Missouri City, Texas, but spent his senior year at Montverde Academy (Fla.). The connection between the Indiana basketball program and Motverde is evident. The Hoosiers have began to form a recruiting pipeline through Montverde — one of the most prestigious high school programs in the entire country.

Jalen Hood-Schifino, Big Ten Freshman of the Year and projected late-lottery pick in the upcoming 2023 NBA Draft, was the first commitment from Montverde for IU. Then shortly after came Malik Reneau. Indiana is also heavily involved with numerous five-star 2024 prospects from Montverde, including Liam McNeeley, Asa Newell and Derik Queen.

Johnson is a 6-foot-4 combo guard who can play both on and off of the ball. He is a good shooter, but better shot creator off of the dribble and attacking the basket. He improved his ability to play on the ball as a point guard at Montverde as a senior. He is best used with another ball handler in the backcourt who may be the primary distributor, however. Johnson’s athleticism and size allow him the flexibility to play a few positions on the wing. Defensively, he has the tools to be a lockdown defender.

“He’s also a guy that can play point guard … Very versatile, can score, get his own shot but at the same time be a distributor,” Kansas coach Bill Self said of Johnson. “The thing that people rave about with him is that he could be an elite defender, an elite collegiate defender.”