Blue-chip center surprised by Colorado

Jayce Johnson took his first official visit to Colorado last weekend, and the four-star center prospect from Santa Monica (Calif.) High was pleasantly surprised with what he saw.

"I was very surprised. I had a totally different thought of what it would be. I thought Boulder is a little town out in the middle of nowhere, and I got there and it is a great college town," said the 7-foot-0, 230-pound Johnson. "I was with [head] coach [Tad] Boyle and we were walking around and everyone was coming up to him and saying, 'what's up coach!' Everyone supports the team.

"I played with the team while I was out there and everyone looked like they were all good friends. It felt like a family unit. Everyone was playing with each other, having fun. There was no arguing or anything like that. It seemed like they were all like a family."

Although he left town with his family shortly before the Rocky Mountain Showdown kicked off, Johnson went down to Denver to eat at the Blake Street Tavern on Saturday afternoon and he ran into Buffs fans there. According to Johnson, the Colorado staff did a good job of showcasing the University and what they have to offer a student-athlete.

"They have all the things in place to help me get better as a basketball player and person, from the weight room to their nutrition program, and obviously the academic aspect of the school," he said. "They sold me on the school and all the great aspects. I was happy with the trip, it all went well."

Johnson is now scheduled to take an official visit to Cal this weekend, and he has trips lined up with Utah and Stanford for October. Those three schools and Colorado are his four finalists.

"Since I already went to Colorado, taking an official visit to Cal will help me compare those schools," he said. "I have been to Cal before on an unofficial [visit] so I know it is a great school with a great academic program and great coaching staff. But it will be easier to compare the schools after I take an official visit there. I am really excited for the visit."

The early signing period for basketball will begin on Nov. 11. Johnson is not sure exactly when he will make the call.

"It honestly depends, I could commit at anytime," he said. "I could go to a school and say, 'oh, this is it.' I am not sure right now."

Johnson is currently ranked by Rivals.com as the nation's 68th best prospect from the Class of 2016. According to national recruiting analyst Eric Bossi, he had a very productive summer during stops with the Earl Watson Elite squad and at the Under Armour All-American Camp.

"How hard I work, I don't like anyone to beat me out. I have to beat them out," Johnson said when asked what he prides himself on as a basketball player. "Last year, I honestly couldn't run as well as I can right now, I didn't have the greatest stamina. But this year I am running the floor way better. I can do so much more now than I could last year. I still have a long way to go, though, but I have made good strides."

Colorado has told Johnson they like his ability to shoot from the outside, his rebounding skills, the fact he can finish with both hands around the rim, and they also complimented him on how hard he plays.

[rl]