If you want a sense of what Syracuse basketball commit Dior Johnson is all about, have a look at his Twitter page. It’s inspiring and hilarious.
One of the biggest subjects that will surround Syracuse basketball over the next two years is whether elite commit Dior Johnson will ever actually step foot on the Orange campus.
The 6-foot-3 Johnson, who hails from Saugerties, N.Y., and clearly has an admiration for the ‘Cuse, is a five-star point guard in the 2022 class. He’s universally regarded by the main recruiting services as a top-15 guy across the country in his class.
Sports Illustrated recently broke the news that Johnson will spend his final two stanzas of prep ball at the powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., which has produced multiple other Syracuse stars, including Eric Devendorf and some dude by the name of Carmelo Anthony.
Johnson has made it clear that, as far as college goes, the Orange is it for him, and the rising high-school junior committed to the ‘Cuse back in February.
However, Johnson has also said that if the NBA changes its one-and-done rule before his collegiate career commences, he will weigh his options. Additionally, the NBA G League has unveiled a lucrative new initiative, so Johnson absolutely has a variety of options at his disposal.
Two disclosures here by this author. First and foremost, I’m a huge Johnson fan, and I’ll get more into that shortly. Secondly, if Johnson ultimately elects to forgo Central New York in favor of a professional path, I wish him nothing but the best, and every other Syracuse fanatic out there should do the same.
Sure, if this narrative does transpire, stinging memories of Darius Bazley will understandably surface. Nothing against Bazley, but he didn’t handle his de-commitment well, and he didn’t appear to have the same enthusiasm for the Orange as Johnson possesses.
For clear evidence, follow Johnson on Twitter. His own tweets and responses to other folks’ tweets are fabulous. This fine young man is classy, confident, and supremely talented, but Johnson also boasts high character and is tons of fun.
Case in point is this one. Benny Williams, a 2021 four-star small forward, recently revealed his four finalists, and the ‘Cuse made the cut. When a Syracuse fan tweeted about how he wants the Orange to land Williams, Johnson opined, “Don’t eeen stress ……..”
https://twitter.com/3Diorjohnson/status/1256071098757595136
You have to love that.
After word broke that another ‘Cuse target, Zion Cruz, a top-25 prospect in the 2022 class, would link up with Johnson at Oak Hill Academy, Johnson responded on Twitter with two encouraging emojis.
https://twitter.com/3Diorjohnson/status/1253849332022837248
Johnson has said that he plans to bring other stellar recruits with him to Syracuse, and shooting guard Cruz is certainly a possibility, especially now that they are balling together at Oak Hill Academy.
https://twitter.com/3Diorjohnson/status/1225923627993821186
As a sophomore at Mayfair High School in Lakewood, Calif., Johnson averaged about 24 points per contest, yet in this tweet, he says that his best skill is passing. That’s admirable.
https://twitter.com/3Diorjohnson/status/1252668531835052035
Yes, Johnson is “only” a teen-ager, but he’s also a philosopher, with tweets that he’s comfortable with himself, that we should all appreciate life, and that self-confidence and self-love are vital.
In mid-March, as it got revealed that several Orange guards would enter the transfer portal, Johnson awesomely spoke to the reality that other squads could prove a preferable situation for them.
https://twitter.com/3Diorjohnson/status/1239285747561029633
I’m telling you, Johnson is wise beyond his years. He’s got a swagger, but he’s also humble. Even if he never suits up one day for the ‘Cuse on the court, from my perspective, Johnson is already a proud member of the Syracuse family.
Now go revel in his Twitter account.