FlyerHoops.net
When Allen Griffin was added to the coaching staff, Dayton became an instant player for players in the Northeast. And with Griffin’s move to UD, one of the top centers in that region has now taken a high interest in the Flyers.
Ramon Johnson is a 6-9, 270-pound center out of Central High School in Newark, New Jersey. This past season, he averaged 18.4 points and 8.6 rebounds in helping the Blue Devils to the Group 2 state title. He scored 23 points and collected 16 rebounds in the final and afterward was awarded with the MVP trophy. He has decided that he will transfer to The Robinson School and reclassify as a recruit in the 2012 class.
“Ramon is doing a prep year,” said Robinson coach Vince Robinson. “We want to get about 15 pounds off of Ramon. He’s going to work one-on-one with our big man coach, Frantz Pierre-Louis. Every big man that has come with us, Frantz has got him where he’s needed to be so when they hit the college scene, they can make an impact. I think this prep year is going to be really, really beneficial for Ramon because now he has a big man coach that is going to work with him for an entire year. We’re going to change his diet, his eating habits, strength and conditioning, and lift weights.”
The Robinson School coach said that Ramon reminds him of Oliver Miller, the former center for Arkansas that played eight seasons in the NBA.
“He was a very skilled big man, could really pass the ball,” Robinson said when comparing Johnson to Miller. “He’s got some pretty good post moves, and like I said– once we get Ramon in the gym with Frantz, I think he may end up with a couple of Big East offers.”
As of right now, Charlotte, Dayton, George Mason, Georgia State, Hofstra, New Mexico State, St. Peters, UT-Chattanooga, and Virginia Commonwealth are all recruiting the big man. Georgia State, Hofstra, New Mexico State, St. Peters, and VCU have already offered the 2012 big man.
“Coach Griffin was recruiting Ramon at Hofstra, and obviously the interest in Dayton is going to be high because of that previous relationship,” Robinson noted.
Johnson said he doesn’t know much about Dayton at this point, but said Coach Griffin has been educating him about the school, the basketball program, and the graduation rates for their athletes. He said it’s a school that could fit with what he is looking for in a college.
“I’m looking for a second home,” Ramon said. “Basically, a place I can call home, a great coaching staff, a good education, a good history of winning. I want to be a winner. But if it takes some rebuilding, and I’m confident in the situation, I’ll do that as well.”
Coach Robinson said that he and Ramon will make some unofficial visits this summer and said that Dayton is in a good position to be one of those. If not, he’s almost certain Dayton will be a place Johnson visits in the fall as they hope to reach a decision prior to the start of their season.
“I’m anticipating and hoping that everything is out of the way in the early signing period so he can know where he’s going and everything so and it doesn’t interfere with our schedule,” Coach Robinson explained. “But again, that’s up to Ramon and how comfortable he is after he does a couple official visits. Dayton is definitely going to be one of the official visits when we get things going in September.”
We’ll continue to follow Ramon Johnson as well as other top 2012 targets. Stay tuned to FlyerHoops, the best in Dayton basketball coverage.