Indiana Reaches Out To Montverde Guard Chris Johnson After Kansas Decommitment

Chris Johnson, a four-star guard in the class of 2023 from Montverde Academy, recently requested release from his letter of intent to Kansas. Indiana is among schools in contact with Johnson.

With one scholarship available for the 2023-24 season, Indiana coach Mike Woodson said on May 31 that he's "always looking to better our team."

Some Hoosiers have already arrived on campus for summer workouts, but a recent decommitment could open the door for Woodson to add the final piece to Indiana's roster late in the recruiting cycle.

On June 3, Chris Johnson, a 6-foot-4 guard in the class of 2023, requested release from his national letter of intent to Kansas. Johnson originally committed to Kansas over Alabama, Ole Miss and Arkansas last August.

Johnson's release has not yet been granted, but schools are now allowed to recruit him. Since asking for release, a long list of schools including Indiana, Illinois, Memphis, Miami, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, and Washington have reached out to Johnson, according to a report from Brandon Jenkins on Wednesday.

2023 Chris Johnson |@Luhchriis| of JL3 Elite @JL3Elite had a strong performance during EYBL Session II.

Good positional size at 6’4, shiftiness as a shot-creator, above-average playmaker for others, midrange pull-up game to compliment his finishing ability at the rim. pic.twitter.com/vfH4GipOdi

— Endless Motor Sports (@endless_motor) April 27, 2022

Johnson first attended Elkins High School in Missouri City, Tex., but he transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida. Johnson is a consensus four-star prospect, ranked No. 40 by Rivals, No. 44 in the ESPN Top 100, No. 67 by On3 and No. 73 by 247Sports.

Woodson has had success recruiting players from Montverde Academy, landing top-40 recruits Jalen Hood-Schifino and Malik Reneau in the class of 2022. After winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Hood-Schifino is a potential lottery pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Reneau is returning to Indiana for his sophomore season and is expected to play a big role for the Hoosiers. 

Woodson is also recruiting a handful of players from Montverde in the class of 2024, including Curtis Givens, Liam McNeeley, Asa Newell and Derik Queen, who were teammates with Johnson during the 2022-23 season.

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