By Keenan Cummings
West Virginia didn’t have to wait long for a commitment from Canton McKinley guard Kobe Johnson.
The 2021 prospect only received an offer from the Mountaineers a few hours prior to casting his lot with head coach Bob Huggins’ program.
The 6-foot-3 combo-guard took a virtual visit with the program Wednesday and that was when he received news he was receiving a scholarship offer, and then came the commitment. The Mountaineers weren’t necessarily a new face in his recruitment, but things did progress quickly.
“Not really a shock — they’ve been following me just waiting for when I proved I was ready,” Johnson said. “Having the chance to play for a hall-of-fame coach was a big reason.”
Assistant Larry Harrison, as well as Huggins, served as the primary contact points between Johnson and WVU, and both coaches were thrilled when he gave them the news.
A first team all-Ohio selection after his junior campaign, Johnson averaged 18.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 49% from the floor this season in leading McKinley to its first district title since 2016. A combo guard, Johnson can score off the bounce as well as in the mid-range.
“They were excited I was choosing West Virginia,” he said.
With a 7-foot wingspan, Johnson is also a pest on the defensive end, which makes him an attractive choice for the Mountaineers for several reasons.
Johnson is the second commitment for WVU in the 2021 class after another Ohio guard, Seth Wilson, and fills the available scholarships in the cycle for now with two upcoming seniors.
Johnson also held offers from a number of other programs such as Kent State, but the Mountaineers were the first known power five schools to jump into the mix.
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