Johnson enjoying life as a Wildcat

Last Updated on Monday, 29 November 1999 17:00 Written by Erik Thompson Sunday, 07 February 2010 09:21

Basketball Articles - Basketball Recruiting

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Despite being just a junior in high school, Sidiki Johnson has endured a lot over the last year. However, one thing that has remained the same through all that has been his love for the Arizona Wildcats.

On August 1^st, 2009, Johnson became the first member of Arizona’s 2011 recruiting class. While it was an ‘early’ commitment according to some, it was a significant commitment for an Arizona program continuing to rebuild themselves into a national power.

Ever since that date nearly six months ago, Johnson has had to deal with a number of issues that some would consider significant – others considered part of the territory when you are one of the more sought after front court players in your respective recruiting class.

One of those issues has been the switching of high schools. Back in September, Johnson opted to switch from St. Raymond’s High School in New York to St. Benedict’s, a high school basketball powerhouse in Newark, New Jersey.

While it was a difficult transition at first, Johnson told WSR that he has slowly began to find himself becoming more comfortable with his everyday surroundings at his new school – and it has began to show both on and off the basketball court.

“I think I am adjusted now to everything and I am playing a lot better. I think I am becoming the player I need to and can be. We have like four games left before the national tournament so I just want to see us get better before that all starts.”

Last month, Johnson and St. Benedict’s were featured on ESPNU as part of their Martin Luther King Day festivities. For the people that were watching, you would have noticed that Johnson was not in the starting lineup for St. Benedict’s and was receiving sporadic playing time. However, since then that has all changed as Johnson and his teammates have become more familiar with one another.

“Since then, a lot has changed. In that game, I wasn’t really playing and involved in things as much as I am now. Now my teammates are looking for me and things are starting to come around.”

Throughout everything over the last six months, the one thing that has remained the same for Johnson is his commitment to Arizona. When a young player commits to a program like Arizona, a number of things can happen. However, Johnson told WSR that he is just enjoying life as an Arizona Wildcat.

“Coach Book was up here like a week ago. I know we have been playing well, so that is a big plus. I saw that we recently beat Cal so that was huge. I have been in touch with the coaching staff a lot so we have just been building up our relationship.”

Despite a slow start to his junior season, Johnson has been given complete belief and faith in him as a player and person from the Arizona coaching staff – something that has given Johnson a degree of comfort both in the classroom and on the basketball court.

“They believe in me and they know that I am still getting adjusted. Both they and I know that I have not been playing like I can, but I think I am getting the point where I am getting adjusted both mentally and physically to become that player they think I can be.”

While it will be nearly a year and a half before Johnson arrives on campus at the University of Arizona, there is still a sense of urgency to get him into a Wildcat uniform as quickly as possible. While that won’t happen until November of 2011, Johnson will be visiting campus over the summer to get accustomed to things like the school, his teammates, and the coaching staff.

“I plan on going out this summer and visit – chill with the team and just bond with everyone and everything. It should be a good time. For the fans, I just can’t wait to get down there and get things going. I just can’t wait. I will be ready to go.”

As far as expectations for when Johnson arrives?

“I know the coaching staff plans on me coming in and making an immediate impact. They have told me that they want me to come in and continue to do what I have been doing. I know they need some help in the front court, and even though I like to play the three and four positions, I am confident I can help them. Plus, I can’t wait to play with my boys Lamont Momo Jones and Kevin Parrom. We just all want to win and compete for that national championship.”

Stay with WSR for continued recruiting coverage on Arizona basketball.