We are profiling each member of the 2011-12 Creighton men’s basketball team. Join us weekdays from now until the men’s exhibition opener against Rockhurst for an introduction to this year’s Bluejays, from freshmen to seniors.
See all of our 2011-12 Creighton men’s basketball profiles
Creighton's Nevin Johnson (#24) looks for playing time as a freshman (Marshall/WBR)
Nevin Johnson may seem like the forgotten man in Creighton’s incoming crop of freshmen. Will Artino has been around the program for a full season as a redshirt. Geoff Groselle sticks out as the Bluejays’ first 7-footer in two decades. Avery Dingman chose CU over Valley rival Missouri State. And Austin Chatman made a splash at the Bluejay Madness event.
But Johnson has been in the fold since becoming the second player from Texas to join Greg McDermott’s first full recruiting class at Creighton. Assistant coach Steve Lutz kept Johnson in mind while Lutz transitioned from Southern Methodist University to his spot on McDermott’s staff at CU.
“I found out about Creighton through Coach Lutz, who had recruited me at SMU,” Johnson said. “He left for Creighton and continued to recruit me.
I really liked the coaching staff when I came to Creighton, and I got along with the team really well. Once I came to visit the campus I knew this was where I wanted to be.”
The 6-5 guard/forward from Houston comes to Creighton as one of the top prospects in Texas, playing against some of the country’s best high school basketball talent.
“My high school program prepared me pretty well [for Division-I basketball]. The competition in Texas is really tough and you have to work hard. It has really helped me a lot in the transition to college,” Johnson said.
Johnson describes himself as a hard worker who will do whatever it takes to elevate the team’s play. “I want to do what it takes to help the team win, whether that is just winning games or winning the Valley, or winning in the NCAA Tournament,” Johnson said. When asked what he expects from himself in his first year at Creighton, he focuses on the oft-overlooked end of the court.
“I feel like I will mostly be a tough defensive player, who can hit open shots when they’re available,” Johnson said. “I want to do what I can to help the team.”
That includes working on his ball handling and his three-point shot, Johnson said, as well as adjust to the speed of college basketball.
“In high school, a lot of guys just chill out and you don’t have to play as hard. But when you are on the court with these college guys, it is a totally different pace,” he said. “You have to play hard at all times.”
Whether Johnson makes an immediate statement as a freshman this season remains to be seen. But defensive effort usually translates to a longer look from coaches. With a team returning so much of its offense from last season, the ability to defense multiple positions may make Johnson a vital part of this year’s team.
And if the footwork he displayed at Bluejay Madness is any indication, Jays fans know that at the very least Johnson can slide his feet to stay with the man he’s defending.