Longhorns Signee A.J. Johnson Decommits from Program, Will Pursue Pro Career

Already experiencing major roster turnover, the Texas Longhorns have taken another big blow.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Longhorns have received another major blow at the start of the first full offseason under new head coach Rodney Terry.

Texas 2023 signee and Southern California Academy (Castaic, CA) guard A.J. Johnson has chosen to decommit from the program in order to pursue professional opportunities, per reports Thursday from ESPN.

Johnson will now begin playing in Australia's NBL for the Illawarra Hawks. He will need to be granted permission to be released from his National Letter of Intent to officially begin this process.

Per 247Sports' rankings, Johnson is a five-star talent and the No. 1 overall player in California. He was set to arrive to the Forty Acres this fall alongside fellow five-star Ron Holland. The pair were the only two signees for Texas in the 2023 class, but now the Longhorns are down to just one.

“I just knew about Texas my whole life," Johnson had told On3 upon committing and signing on Nov. 21. "Like Kevin Durant went there, they have had so many pros that went there. Their NIL is crazy right now, like just their marketing of players and everything. Texas is such a big school."

The Longhorns are already experiencing major roster turnover, having lost guards Marcus Carr and Sir'Jabari Rice and forwards Timmy Allen and Christian Bishop. All will be leaving due to losing their eligibility. Additionally, guard Tyrese Hunter and Dillon Mitchell have both declared for the 2023 NBA Draft, leaving their returns in question. Guards Arterio Morris and Rowan Brumbaugh also entered the transfer portal.

Terry and staff will have some major work to do with the long offseason still ahead.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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