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Tavari Johnson, next Chicago PG


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  • 2 weeks later...

I am not finding a whole lot of video of Tavari Johnson so far. It makes sense if he is a late bloomer. There are a couple short compilation videos on his twitter account. Hopefully going forward into his senior year he will post more similar content.

 

https://twitter.com/Tavarijohnson5?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1435811852445962241|twgr^|twcon^s2_&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fzipsnation.org%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Fapp%3Dcoremodule%3Dsystemcontroller%3Dembedurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FCokesSunday%2Fstatus%2F1435811852445962241

 

Wanting to learn more I spent the monthly dues to get the Tavari Johnson notes from Scott Burgess of Prep Hoops. Burgess has proven to be a solid high school talent evaluator in Illinois. Here are the most recent write-ups after camps and tournaments where Tavari is mentioned. I will simply copy and past below. Much of the content is redundant, but to me hearing repetition reinforces his profile. It appears it's his height/slight frame that has him limited to the mid-major conversation because he has all the tools. Currently he is the 6th best 2022 prospect out of Illinois, third best PG. The number one prospect just committed to Duke, the next two are getting high-major offers and then I don't see much difference in the fourth and fifth rated prospects and Tavari in terms of offers. Prospects four and five are both point guards as well.

 

 

 

Scott Burgess of Prep Hoops notes on Tavari Johnson

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Posted On: 07/6/21 7:43 PM

Tavari Johnson (6’ 2022 PG, Young & Reckless)- Not sure I’ve ever seen Tavari play a bad game, as he’s constantly finding ways to produce. His feel for the game and basketball IQ is extremely high, and that’s evident with how he handles the ball in pick & roll situations. He finds ways to react to defenders in a variety of ways to make plays, whether it be hitting a pull up jumper, lobbing a pass over the top, splitting defenders to attack, or threading the needle with an accurate bounce pass. No matter what the defense throws at him he’s able to remain calm under pressure. Against a talented Wisconsin PGC team that went undefeated on the weekend, Tavari had a strong outing scoring at all three levels and dishing out a handful of assists.

 

Posted On: 07/14/21 10:00 AM

Tavari Johnson (Young & Reckless/Authentic Basketball 17U)

One of the more underappreciated point guards in the Midwest once again showed why.  He led his team to a strong weekend including beating EYBL squad LivOn on a floater at the buzzer.  His ability to get in the teeth of a defense and pick them apart with his passing and runner game is tremendous.  Electric around ball screen situations slicing the defense up over and over again.  Some will be scared off because of height, but he is a mid-major prospect all the way.

 

Posted On: 07/20/21 8:00 PM

Tavari Johnson (Young & Reckless/Authentic Basketball 17U)

Anyone who reads what I write or follows me on twitter is very well aware of my fondness for this point guard.  He is the kind of mid-major guard that wins games in March in upset games.  Electric passer that reads the floor like a college veteran already.  Pick and roll savant.  Changes gears, burst with the ball, and finishes in the lane with floaters over bigs despite his slight frame.  Effective shooter off the bounce. (emphasis is mine)

 

Posted On: 07/27/21 5:00 PM

Tavari Johnson (Young & Reckless/Authentic Basketball 17U)

Johnson is making a case for himself to continue to move up the board in 2022.  He is a PH favorite with the way he operates in ball screen situations and his advanced IQ for the game.  Makes some absolutely incredible passes.  What impressed college coaches most was his ability to knock down shots at as high of a rate as he did off the bounce.  Elite mid-major lead guard.

 

Posted On: 08/12/21 6:00 AM - by Steve Parham

Tavari Johnson (Lyons Township) 2022

Tavari was clearly one of the most consistent lead guards on the Prep Hoops Circuit this year. He has a knack to make the right decision majority of the time. Johnson would flourish in the pick and roll game and with shooters spaced out all around him, Tavari would have high assists numbers. And when defenders would take away his passing options look to Johnson to also score from all three levels. A dangerous weapon that Illinois could unleash.

 

Posted On: 08/18/21 6:00 AM

Tavari Johnson (Lyons)

Johnson is a high level point guard that runs a team, hits shots, and makes everyone around him better.  He has lined up four visits: August 25-26 Akron, September 10-12 UW-Milwaukee, September 17-19 Bowling Green, and September 24-26 Toledo.

 

Posted On: 08/19/21 6:00 AM

Tavari Johnson (Young & Reckless)

Johnson is a high IQ point guard with the ball on a string.  He understands how to run a team and is an absolute ball screen savant.  Makes excellent reads in that area along with being able to find teammates picking/popping or getting to the rim himself and even pulling up from mid-range for jumpers.  With his play for Y&R/Authentic he became a coveted mid-major target.

 

Posted On: 08/28/21 6:00 AM

Tavari Johnson (Young & Reckless)

Johnson is such a complete point guard which includes being able to shoot the rock at a high level especially pulling up.

 

Posted On: 08/31/21 6:00 AM

Tavari Johnson (Young & Reckless)

One of the more electric guards in the senior class with the ball in his hands he weaves in and out of traffic for scores in the paint.

 

Posted On: 09/2/21 6:00 AM

Tavari Johnson (Young & Reckless)

Johnson is the most electric passer in the state.  Has eyes in the back of his head and is elite in pick/roll or pick/pop situations.

 

Posted On: 09/8/21 6:00 AM

Tavari Johnson (Lyons)

Current Ranking: #6

Johnson is a PH favorite. The Lyons Township point guard is an elite ball screen player that makes decisions with such ease. High level passer that sees the floor like a college upperclassmen. Plus shooter that can knock down shots pulling up off the dribble or spot up threes. Despite being smaller he is a very pesky defender.

 

Posted On: 09/13/21 3:00 PM

Tavari Johnson (Lyons)

Johnson leads a nice list of point guard commitments this week.  The LT floor general is a ball screen savant with the way he operates getting himself and teammates the looks they want. Narrowed it down to four and ultimately decided he would commit to Akron.

 

 

Go Zips!!!

 

 

Edited by Illini Zip
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  • 1 month later...

Want the best fit in the 2022 class?  That is Lyons Township point guard Tavari Johnson to Akron.  The ball screen genius fits in perfectly to John Groce’s system.  The Zips pursued him as aggressively as anyone went after a recruit in July and got him to sign on the dotted line making his commitment official.  This is the kind of guard that wins games in the NCAA Tournament!

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  • 2 months later...

Tavari Johnson update:  Glenbard West Hilltoppers are #1 in Illinois crushing opponents by more than 25 points per game. Glenbard has 4 D1 college commits led by 6-9 forward and Gonzaga commit Braden Huff. In a big 32-team holiday tournament Glenbard was looking forward to playing Bolingbrook in the championship game. But behind Tavari's 28 points his Lyons team upset Bolingbrook. Glenbard overwhelmed Lyons in the championship game as Tavari is the only D1 commit on an otherwise mid-pack HS team. Led by Tavari Lyons is now 16-3 with 2 of those losses to #1 Glenbard West. Lyons is currently ranked #10 in Illinois despite limited talent behind Tavari.

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  • 3 weeks later...
On 1/19/2022 at 11:50 AM, Hilltopper said:

Tavari Johnson update:  Glenbard West Hilltoppers are #1 in Illinois crushing opponents by more than 25 points per game. Glenbard has 4 D1 college commits led by 6-9 forward and Gonzaga commit Braden Huff. In a big 32-team holiday tournament Glenbard was looking forward to playing Bolingbrook in the championship game. But behind Tavari's 28 points his Lyons team upset Bolingbrook. Glenbard overwhelmed Lyons in the championship game as Tavari is the only D1 commit on an otherwise mid-pack HS team. Led by Tavari Lyons is now 16-3 with 2 of those losses to #1 Glenbard West. Lyons is currently ranked #10 in Illinois despite limited talent behind Tavari.

 

(2 recent game videos of Tavari Johnson, hIgh school senior year)

 

I am linking to Hilltopper's post because the first video below is the third match-up of the year between Glenbard West and Tavari's (White jersey, #5 ) Lyons Township. I have to say the masks under the players chins make me laugh. But hey, they are technically wearing them and in compliance. I wish Tavari had a little more strength at this point, but he otherwise looks to have all the tools to be special. Groce has to be licking his chops. Go Zips!!

 

Some inspiration for the Akron Rowdies: "I believe that we will win" Chant at the 1:12:40 mark.

 

 

 

 

 

In this one, you get a quick mention of Akron at 1:08:00 and I noticed Tavari is able to drive and shoot lay ups with either hand. Then at the 1:12:00 mark you have a nice mid-range jump shot followed by a steal and dunk. "He's got what the players call bunnies".

 

 

Edited by Illini Zip
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  • 3 months later...
1 hour ago, GoZips86 said:

How did he do in his senior season? Anyone know off the top of their head? 

From February 22, 2022...

https://www.rblandmark.com/2022/02/22/lths-boys-look-to-snatch-first-sectional-title-since-2001/

 

From March 23, 2022...

https://www.rblandmark.com/2022/03/23/local-high-school-basketball-players-named-all-state/

 

Lyons Township senior Tavari Johnson was named to the second team and Riverside-Brookfield senior J.P. Hanley to the third team of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association boys basketball Class 4A All-State Team.

Johnson also received honorable mention on the Associated Press 4A All-State Team.

 

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4 minutes ago, Akron1 said:

From February 22, 2022...

https://www.rblandmark.com/2022/02/22/lths-boys-look-to-snatch-first-sectional-title-since-2001/

 

From March 23, 2022...

https://www.rblandmark.com/2022/03/23/local-high-school-basketball-players-named-all-state/

 

Lyons Township senior Tavari Johnson was named to the second team and Riverside-Brookfield senior J.P. Hanley to the third team of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association boys basketball Class 4A All-State Team.

Johnson also received honorable mention on the Associated Press 4A All-State Team.

 

 

Not sure what level 4A is for Illinois, but being on a State team in Illinois for basketball is no joke I'd imagine. 

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2 hours ago, Akron1 said:

From February 22, 2022...

https://www.rblandmark.com/2022/02/22/lths-boys-look-to-snatch-first-sectional-title-since-2001/

 

From March 23, 2022...

https://www.rblandmark.com/2022/03/23/local-high-school-basketball-players-named-all-state/

 

Lyons Township senior Tavari Johnson was named to the second team and Riverside-Brookfield senior J.P. Hanley to the third team of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association boys basketball Class 4A All-State Team.

Johnson also received honorable mention on the Associated Press 4A All-State Team.

 

 

Great info, thanks a lot!!

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4A is the top division in Illinois boys high school basketball. Glenbard West (37-0), which went wire-to-wire as the state's top-ranked team with a stacked lineup being compared to the strongest in Illinois history, accounted for 3 of 6 losses by Tavari's Lyons team (26-6). Lyons was eliminated in the state championship tournament by Whitney Young HS which lost to Glenbard West in the state championship game. At the end of the season Massey Ratings showed Lyons as the 10th-ranked Illinois team with Tavari being their only star player. Tavari's raw stats don't fully reflect the importance of his team leadership as opposing teams focused their defenses on stopping him. In his senior season he averaged 16.5 PPG, 4.5 assists, 2.5 turnovers and 2.2 steals.

Edited by Hilltopper
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14 hours ago, Hilltopper said:

4A is the top division in Illinois boys high school basketball. Glenbard West (37-0), which went wire-to-wire as the state's top-ranked team with a stacked lineup being compared to the strongest in Illinois history, accounted for 3 of 6 losses by Tavari's Lyons team (26-6). Lyons was eliminated in the state championship tournament by Whitney Young HS which lost to Glenbard West in the state championship game. At the end of the season Massey Ratings showed Lyons as the 10th-ranked Illinois team with Tavari being their only star player. Tavari's raw stats don't fully reflect the importance of his team leadership as opposing teams focused their defenses on stopping him. In his senior season he averaged 16.5 PPG, 4.5 assists, 2.5 turnovers and 2.2 steals.

Great job, HT.  This's what we hired you for!

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