'19 JUCO SF - Devale Johnson (URI ---> Kent State)

[URIRecruitingInfo]

Devale 'DJ' Johnson - SF
From: Brooklyn, NY
School: Williston State College (ND)
Travel/AAU:

Ht: 6'7"
Wt: 185

RANKINGS:
Rivals: NR



INTEREST:
Rhode Island (Visit: 6/18/19, Verbally Committed 6/19/19)
Albany (Unofficial Visit: 5/25/19)
Fairleigh Dickinson
Nichols State
St. Joe's
St. John's (Unofficial Visit: 6/8/19)
St. Peter's (Unofficial Visit: 6/11/19)
Wagner

JUCO Stats: http://njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2018-19/di ... ohnsonogap
Freshman Year Stats at New Mexico Junior College: http://www.nmjcthunderbirds.com/sports/ ... evale_y8s5

http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/devale-johnson

[Billyboy78]

[Billyboy78]

He is listed as Honorable Mention in the JC Top 100. Sheppard is #67. James Reese, who we were recruiting, is #32.
https://www.jucorecruiting.com/2019-juc ... 0-rankings

[Rhodymob05]

Based solely on schools interested, he seems like a low major player?

[URIRecruitingInfo]

Was waiting to complete his academic requirements before starting the recruitment process. Also, clearly wants to return to the Northeast.

[RamStock]

It sounds like Ryan Preston 2.0. I don’t see why we would ever go this route. Much rather have a transfer or immediate graduate transfer.

[ramster]

https://www.jucorecruiting.com/news_art ... ow/1008230


https://wsctetons.com/cumestats.aspx?pa ... basketball

[ramster]

Solid shooting percentages especially for a 6’7”player, good rebounder

65-152 for 42.8% on 3 pointers, 2nd most attempts on the team, percentage led the team
31-41 for 75.6% on FTs led the team
8.6 rebounds per game led the team
53 blocked shots easily led the team

Conference player of week honors
https://wsctetons.com/news/2019/2/26/me ... basketball

[ramster]

Johnson recent visits and planned visits

https://www.zagsblog.com/2019/06/09/st- ... e-johnson/

[URIRecruitingInfo]

The St. John's thread on him:

https://redmen.com/forum/recruits-2019/ ... -juco.html

[CHICO 78]

Kind of confused here. We just signed Toppin. We have plenty of wings.
Why are we looking at another one. We need another 5 to spell
Cyril and take over for him in 2020. A legit 6'9"/ 6'10" . Not a
6'7" 3/ stretch 4. In the dunkin donuts pics Walker looks to
be about the same size as Long, Sure as hell not 6'9".

[PeterRamTime]

Kind of confused here. We just signed Toppin. We have plenty of wings.
Why are we looking at another one. We need another 5 to spell
Cyril and take over for him in 2020. A legit 6'9"/ 6'10" . Not a
6'7" 3/ stretch 4. In the dunkin donuts pics Walker looks to
be about the same size as Long, Sure as hell not 6'9".

Yes Cyril is the only 5 on the roster.

We really need a center for next season.

[Rhody83]

Kind of confused here. We just signed Toppin. We have plenty of wings.
Why are we looking at another one. We need another 5 to spell
Cyril and take over for him in 2020. A legit 6'9"/ 6'10" . Not a
6'7" 3/ stretch 4. In the dunkin donuts pics Walker looks to
be about the same size as Long, Sure as hell not 6'9".

How tall do you think Cyril is?
Give me your expert opinion based on pictures on the height of the following players
Cyril
Walker
Harris
Tate

And for old time sake Hassan Martin

[DC_Rams]

Position-less basketball.

[PeterRamTime]

You aren't position less if your forwards are all under 200 pounds

[Rhody83]

[rhodylaw]

Kind of confused here. We just signed Toppin. We have plenty of wings.
Why are we looking at another one. We need another 5 to spell
Cyril and take over for him in 2020. A legit 6'9"/ 6'10" . Not a
6'7" 3/ stretch 4. In the dunkin donuts pics Walker looks to
be about the same size as Long, Sure as hell not 6'9".

How tall do you think Cyril is?
Give me your expert opinion based on pictures on the height of the following players
Cyril
Walker
Harris
Tate

And for old time sake Hassan Martin

* Listed* Height on Gorhody

Cyril - 6'8"
Walker - 6'9"
Harris - 6'8"
Tate - 6'7"

And for old time sake Hassan Martin - probably listed higher but was not over 6'6"

This kid looks like a center who steps out and can hit a corner three. I would rather take the 6'7" kid who has skill than the 6'10" kid with the perfect body who can't play and we hope will someday be a basketball player. Much higher success rate taking the undersized basketball player than taking the big body and trying to develop the game.

[Joe95]

Will be on campus Tuesday.

[Rhody83]

Agree with most of RhodyLaw. Was asking Chico because he measured up Walker because of a picture at Dunkin charity event.
My guess is Cyril is 6’7”.
I agree Hass is 6’6”.
Two pretty good college Centers.
Based on meeting the players at the Season Ticket Holder event and talking to them about it, Harris is one inch taller than Cyril (per both of them).
Walker wasn’t at the event obviously. My guess is he is the same height as Cyril.

[Running Ram]

I know highlights are just highlights but I like his game, he plays with a bunch of confidence.

[PeterRamTime]

Still dont see the point unless he's REALLY good, to bring on a guy who is almost the same type of guy as Tate, Martin, Long, Hammond, and Toppin.

[reef]

Nice highlights this kid has some skills

[Joe95]

Will visit Tuesday next week and decide most likely next weekend.

[DC_Rams]

If we want him, we can get him.

[CHICO 78]

My guess is Cyril is 6’7”.
I agree Hass is 6’6”.
Two pretty good college Centers

I often wonder how good Hassan would have been if we could have
recruited a legit 6'9" + guy to play the 5 along side of him and he could have played
the 4 instead? KI was a 6'9" small forward in my opinion.

[wpbrown8267]

Still dont see the point unless he's REALLY good, to bring on a guy who is almost the same type of guy as Tate, Martin, Long, Hammond, and Toppin.

there is part of me that agrees with you, then I also think of Nevada the past few years with that line up, practically all 6'6" or taller and that part of me gets excited

[ace]

My guess is Cyril is 6’7”.
I agree Hass is 6’6”.
Two pretty good college Centers

I often wonder how good Hassan would have been if we could have
recruited a legit 6'9" + guy to play the 5 along side of him and he could have played
the 4 instead? KI was a 6'9" small forward in my opinion.

I think you’re looking at it not correctly- Hassan had the skills of a 5 without the standard height of the position. I don’t think he would have shown different or better skills, regardless of who he was paired with.

Regardless, he’s looking jacked these days. I hope he gets summer league minutes with some team.

[ace]

Still dont see the point unless he's REALLY good, to bring on a guy who is almost the same type of guy as Tate, Martin, Long, Hammond, and Toppin.

I think it’s more of they have two open spots and it’s the middle of June. Options are somewhat limited.

[SGreenwell]

Still dont see the point unless he's REALLY good, to bring on a guy who is almost the same type of guy as Tate, Martin, Long, Hammond, and Toppin.

I think it’s more of they have two open spots and it’s the middle of June. Options are somewhat limited.

Yeah. Usually no harm in having another good practice player or injury insurance. And hey, maybe you get lucky and the player is more than that.

[DC_Rams]

Still dont see the point unless he's REALLY good, to bring on a guy who is almost the same type of guy as Tate, Martin, Long, Hammond, and Toppin.

I think it’s more of they have two open spots and it’s the middle of June. Options are somewhat limited.

Yeah. Usually no harm in having another good practice player or injury insurance. And hey, maybe you get lucky and the player is more than that.

Finally, someone that GETS it! It’s really not that difficult lol

[sevegny7]

See what I think Devale brings to the table that other posters seem to think are similar do not bring is the potential for shot blocking. I do not think your going to see alot of shot blocking from those players listed by PeterRamTime. He would have to prove it in D1 setting but he did show this in JUCO which cant be directly related to transfer to D1. But he is not also your prototypical shot blocker with no offensive skill set either. I do not see the harm in adding him. I think toppin is much more a wing then devale is especially defensively.

[Rhody83]

Some thoughts on a few of the post above:
Thank God for DC Rams and Ace because no else gets it .
Most fans are aware they have 11 scholarship players and would prefer to add a player to this year’s team.
Was Omar brought in last summer as the practice player? How did that work out.
Hammond doesn’t belong in the group with the 6’7” guys. Hammond is a SG.
KI played the 4 as a skinny 6’9. Can’t Johnson play the 4 at 6’7”-8? He could have a similar game. Definitely a shot blocker.
If they truly just want a practice player, should they go after a Center transfer instead who can help fill the Cyril whole next year?

[DC_Rams]

Some thoughts on a few of the post above:
Thank God for DC Rams and Ace because no else gets it .
Most fans are aware they have 11 scholarship players and would prefer to add a player to this year’s team.
Was Omar brought in last summer as the practice player? How did that work out.
Hammond doesn’t belong in the group with the 6’7” guys. Hammond is a SG.
KI played the 4 as a skinny 6’9. Can’t Johnson play the 4 at 6’7”-8? He could have a similar game. Definitely a shot blocker.
If they truly just want a practice player, should they go after a Center transfer instead who can help fill the Cyril whole next year?

Omar was brought in because we lost Brandan.

They’d rather have this guy, than a true center right now. Cyril, Jermaine and Antwan will all share minutes at Center.

[ramster]

If we want him, we can get him.

For the record DC_Rams and fwiw I would be ecstatic if Devale chooses URI
He has size, he can shoot FTs, he can shoot 3 pointers at 43%, he can rebound, clock shots and he is 6'7"
You can't teach height and Cox is building a roster that I might guess is the tallest average height roster I can remember. I like the height, the length and what this team needs improvement on is shooting.
Let Devale put pressure on the guys getting the playing time to have to improve their shooting percentages. Shooting was our weakness last season

Everything I see and read about Devale I like. He just became available because he got 3.69 for the semester. This was holding him back. Grab him now is my opinion

He is or has visited Albany, St Peters, Wagner, St Johns.....clearly wants to come back home. URI is a 3 hour very easy, pleasant train ride to NYC

I am sure when he comes he will play basketball with current players and Cox will see potential. If he doesn't and says not a fit then ok, but I'm hoping Johnson is a Ram a week from today

65-152 for 42.8% on 3 pointers, 2nd most attempts on the team, percentage led the team
31-41 for 75.6% on FTs led the team
8.6 rebounds per game led the team
53 blocked shots easily led the team

[reckless jake]

If we want him, we can get him.

For the record DC_Rams and fwiw I would be ecstatic if Devale chooses URI
He has size, he can shoot FTs, he can shoot 3 pointers at 43%, he can rebound, clock shots and he is 6'7"
You can't teach height and Cox is building a roster that I might guess is the tallest average height roster I can remember. I like the height, the length and what this team needs improvement on is shooting.
Let Devale put pressure on the guys getting the playing time to have to improve their shooting percentages. Shooting was our weakness last season

Everything I see and read about Devale I like. He just became available because he got 3.69 for the semester. This was holding him back. Grab him now is my opinion

He is or has visited Albany, St Peters, Wagner, St Johns.....clearly wants to come back home. URI is a 3 hour very easy, pleasant train ride to NYC

I am sure when he comes he will play basketball with current players and Cox will see potential. If he doesn't and says not a fit then ok, but I'm hoping Johnson is a Ram a week from today

65-152 for 42.8% on 3 pointers, 2nd most attempts on the team, percentage led the team
31-41 for 75.6% on FTs led the team
8.6 rebounds per game led the team
53 blocked shots easily led the team

Pretty much sums up eactly what I was gonna say. Go Rhody

[bkoeppen]

If we want him, we can get him.

Did that change? Sounded earlier this week St. Johns was heavily in the mix and he is from NYC.

[ace]

Some thoughts on a few of the post above:
Thank God for DC Rams and Ace because no else gets it .
Most fans are aware they have 11 scholarship players and would prefer to add a player to this year’s team.
Was Omar brought in last summer as the practice player? How did that work out.
Hammond doesn’t belong in the group with the 6’7” guys. Hammond is a SG.
KI played the 4 as a skinny 6’9. Can’t Johnson play the 4 at 6’7”-8? He could have a similar game. Definitely a shot blocker.
If they truly just want a practice player, should they go after a Center transfer instead who can help fill the Cyril whole next year?

I don’t understand the emoji in this context. I don’t think anyone should be brought in as just a practice player. Scholarship spots are too valuable for that, at least in the way I’d prefer a team managed. I’m not completely comfortable going into the following season with Walker, Harris, and a freshman as the bigs, but that’s a long way off.

[DC_Rams]

If we want him, we can get him.

Did that change? Sounded earlier this week St. Johns was heavily in the mix and he is from NYC.

You may be right, I don’t know how SJ roster is looking either. They may be able to promise him more guaranteed time.

This isn’t an Aris situation, our roster is filled out though, the staff would be hard pressed to get a highly regarded 11th body. This kid sounds like he may fit the bill.

[Rhody74]

Some thoughts on a few of the post above:
Thank God for DC Rams and Ace because no else gets it .
Most fans are aware they have 11 scholarship players and would prefer to add a player to this year’s team.
Was Omar brought in last summer as the practice player? How did that work out.
Hammond doesn’t belong in the group with the 6’7” guys. Hammond is a SG.
KI played the 4 as a skinny 6’9. Can’t Johnson play the 4 at 6’7”-8? He could have a similar game. Definitely a shot blocker.
If they truly just want a practice player, should they go after a Center transfer instead who can help fill the Cyril whole next year?

I don’t understand the emoji in this context. I don’t think anyone should be brought in as just a practice player. Scholarship spots are too valuable for that, at least in the way I’d prefer a team managed. I’m not completely comfortable going into the following season with Walker, Harris, and a freshman as the bigs, but that’s a long way off.

I thought walkons were practice players?

[PeterRamTime]

Ok I understand. Especially with the shot blocking.

He seems to be pretty good!

[McRam]

How many years did he play JUCO?

[ramster]

How many years did he play JUCO?

2. He has two years of eligibility at URI

Last season he played at Williston JC in North Dakota
Previous season he played at New Mexico Junior College

http://nmjcthunderbirds.com/sports/mbkb ... its&pos=st

[reckless jake]

Is Johnson's campus visit still on the schedule for today?

[DC_Rams]

Yes

[sevegny7]

Feeling like this will go URIs favor this weekend based solely on my outside viewing of the offers and interest between sides. As well as the fact that it is late into the transfer season and lack of immediately eligible alternatives. Lets hope this is a start to a good weekend.

[Billyboy78]

The Human Tarantula...

[RamStock]

Some thoughts on a few of the post above:
Thank God for DC Rams and Ace because no else gets it .
Most fans are aware they have 11 scholarship players and would prefer to add a player to this year’s team.
Was Omar brought in last summer as the practice player? How did that work out.
Hammond doesn’t belong in the group with the 6’7” guys. Hammond is a SG.
KI played the 4 as a skinny 6’9. Can’t Johnson play the 4 at 6’7”-8? He could have a similar game. Definitely a shot blocker.
If they truly just want a practice player, should they go after a Center transfer instead who can help fill the Cyril whole next year?

I don’t understand the emoji in this context. I don’t think anyone should be brought in as just a practice player. Scholarship spots are too valuable for that, at least in the way I’d prefer a team managed. I’m not completely comfortable going into the following season with Walker, Harris, and a freshman as the bigs, but that’s a long way off.

I agree with Ace. While I agree someone has to be the 11–13 players on any college basketball program that uses their full allotment of scholarships why fill the spots with a Ryan Preston/Aris type player. There are still many graduate transfers left or if you want take a chance at least make it a power forward/center size player. Johnson doesn’t seem to have any place on this team and will either leave after this season or have a similar career to Preston. I get that we want the extra body for practice, but this seems the wrong way to go about it. The junior college route has only seems to work with the top players which Johnson is not.

[DC_Rams]

Some thoughts on a few of the post above:
Thank God for DC Rams and Ace because no else gets it .
Most fans are aware they have 11 scholarship players and would prefer to add a player to this year’s team.
Was Omar brought in last summer as the practice player? How did that work out.
Hammond doesn’t belong in the group with the 6’7” guys. Hammond is a SG.
KI played the 4 as a skinny 6’9. Can’t Johnson play the 4 at 6’7”-8? He could have a similar game. Definitely a shot blocker.
If they truly just want a practice player, should they go after a Center transfer instead who can help fill the Cyril whole next year?

I don’t understand the emoji in this context. I don’t think anyone should be brought in as just a practice player. Scholarship spots are too valuable for that, at least in the way I’d prefer a team managed. I’m not completely comfortable going into the following season with Walker, Harris, and a freshman as the bigs, but that’s a long way off.

I agree with Ace. While I agree someone has to be the 11–13 players on any college basketball program that uses their full allotment of scholarships why fill the spots with a Ryan Preston/Aris type player. There are still many graduate transfers left or if you want take a chance at least make it a power forward/center size player. Johnson doesn’t seem to have any place on this team and will either leave after this season or have a similar career to Preston. I get that we want the extra body for practice, but this seems the wrong way to go about it. The junior college route has only seems to work with the top players which Johnson is not.

There are unknowns with every recruit. There is a reason the staff targeted this kid. They didn’t pull his name out of a hat then offer him. They’ve evaluated him, talked to coaches and felt he fits what they are trying to build. He may sound like an 11th man, but his JUCO stats can either be seen as “fool’s gold” or “GOLD! fools...” One never truly knows. As always, have to trust that the staff knows what they are doing, or not, but Cox has to do his job and deliver and make us all believers in his vision.

Meanwhile, the jury continues to deliberate.

[Iggy1979]

Are we already forgetting that last year's team shot 28 percent from 3? I'll take anyone who can shoot.

[Rhody83]

URI has made the NCAA Tournament twice in 19’years. One of those years they started a Sr that was a JUCO. Berry didn’t do much before his Sr year but was a key part of that great year.

Cox also has to deal with the commitments made to his 8 rotational players.

It can be a challenge to juggle the end if the rotation. Every coach wants 13 scholarship players every year. With the makeup of Rhody’s roster (7 returnee rotation players when you include Walker and a proven D1 player in Sheppard). I really think they should get the best C tgey canto help fill the gap left by Cyril next year. The best option is probably a transfer that has to sit. The 13th spot should be used on the 3rd ‘20 recruit.