Why Vols commitment Keon Johnson, the No. 1 basketball player in Tennessee, is driven to win now – The Tennessean
BELL BUCKLE — Keon Johnson received the pass off a curl near the foul line from a teammate. He took one dribble and jumped, slamming the ball into the basket on the first day of practice.
Yes, the best high school basketball player in Tennessee for the Class of 2020 is ready for his senior season.
Johnson, a Tennessee Vols commitment and No. 23 player in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite, has big plans for himself and The Webb School, a small private school located about 54 miles southeast of Nashville in Bedford County.
“I still want a state championship,” Johnson said. “I’ve received a lot of accolades, but having a state championship would be icing on the cake.”
Johnson, The Tennessean’s 2019 boys basketball player of the year, averaged 24.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 3.0 steals last season. He won his second straight Division II-A Mr. Basketball award and will be the favorite to win this year.
Johnson, the No. 5 shooting guard in the country according to the 247Sports Composite, improved his perimeter shooting in the offseason. He’s now steadily draining 3-pointers from the corner.
He’s pulling up for 15-foot jumpers and making them with ease.
“I think he’s always been a good shooter,” Webb coach Jeff Mitchell said. “I think he’s becoming a really, really, really good shooter.
“But it’s not just habit. He’s put a lot of time in.”
Webb has never won a boys basketball state championship or a team state championship in any sport. And time is running out for Johnson.
“Mainly what I get in the gym for with my teammates is (to win a state championship),” Johnson said. “The feeling that I’ve had the last two years — one step closer, two steps closer.
“That’s pushing me and my team even more.”
The Feet have reached the Division II-A semifinals the past two seasons with Johnson in the starting lineup. Two years ago, it was first-game jitters.
Last year, Johnson received a technical foul and ended up fouling out after playing just 15 minutes in a 67-62 loss to Tipton-Rosemark.
Johnson vows things are different this year. More important, he’s a different player.
He’s more vocal with his teammates — both in encouragement and directing them in what they should be doing in practice. And he plans to show less emotion on the court to keep from getting technical fouls, something that followed him last season.
“With my past and my background, I left my guys short last year,” Johnson said. “I don’t want to do the same thing this year. If it takes me being more vocal to help everyone out, that’s my goal.”
Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.
Published 6:00 AM EST Nov 7, 2019
