Clemson offers small forward from NC

Small forward Jalen Johnson of High Point, N.C., spent Sunday with the Clemson basketball coaches on an unofficial visit, and Monday he landed an offer from head coach Brad Brownell.

The Tigers join Wake Forest, Texas Tech, Old Dominion, Virginia Commonwealth, UNC Greensboro, UNC Wilmington, Appalachian State, George Washington, Radford, High Point and Gardner-Webb as offers for the 6-foot-6 Johnson, who averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists per game last season.

“Coach Brownell said they had researched me and have been tracking me and they saw my growth,” Johnson said. “He said he’s also recruiting me based off team needs. He said that I can shoot the ball, which is something they are looking for. And not just to be a shooter but also because I’m an athletic, bigger guard. He said bigger guards are definitely something he needed in the conference that they play in, the ACC.”

Clemson was Johnson’s first visit this month but he is going to Virginia this Friday. He does not have any favorites at this point and wants to see what over offers come in. The visit to Clemson did help the Tigers claim a stake in his thinking process.

“It helped me get a feel for the school and what the program is about,” Johnson said. “Just about what their needs are in recruiting. I definitely did (improve their stock) because I got to know more information about the school.”

Johnson said he does most of his scoring on the perimeter but is also good in transition. He would like to sign in November if he’s able to make a decision by then.