Demarshay Johnson

4/30/01: "I think DeMarshay does still like UK, but there are a number of problems. First, he has a LONG way to go to qualify - he was booted from the Oakland Tech team this year because he couldn't make his grades. And Oakland Tech is one of the worst schools in California; if you can't make the grades there, you'd have a heck of a time qualifying for college. Second, DeMarshay didn't impress me in the games I saw before he was booted. He's rail thin, and does not shoot well at all. He can jump through the roof and is quick, but given his shooting, inability to handle the ball well, and academic issues, I'm not sure we'll see him at a major college." - unknown post-er on the WildcatChat board.

1/27/01: "Sources on the West Coast say he's juco-bound. I hope he can qualify. I think being a partial and finding a place he could sit out would really benefit him. He could use a redshirt year to work on his strenght so if he could qualify partially, that might be a good substition." - Rivals100Hoops

11/6: "had a good visit to Louisville last month. He will make a spring decision. Rhode Island and Alabama have been calling a lot lately and are now in the mix." - Insiders Report

10/12: will visit Louisville this weekend for MidMadness.

8/30: "told FastBreak Recruiting this afternoon that USC and Louisville have moved to the top of his list. Rhode Island, UTEP and San Francisco are also on his list as well. Johnson is the No. 15 power forward in FastBreak Recruiting's latest rankings. Johnson said that Kentucky was no longer on his list because they did not feel that he would contribute to their team. The Wildcats recently received a commitment from Jason Parker, who was denied admission by the University of North Carolina two weeks ago." - FastBreak

8/2: "has said for a long time that Kentucky is his preference in colleges. But we're hearing that USC is starting to make a very strong run at the slender but very athletic power forward." - PacWest Hoops

7/19: "17th best PF in the USA " 6-9/202, Oakland/Tech -- UCLA, USC, others: Several in-your-face dunks highlighted his spirited play at Youth Festival and adidas ABCD. Extremely thin and lanky." - Steve Wacaser, Sporting News

7/17: "Shay Johnson had a case of the fumbles early on in the game, but once he got untracked, he was formidable. The most impressive dunk I saw all day came courtesy of Johnson, a breakaway that he slammed home after extending both arms about 10 inches above the rim.
Shay had several other "tomahawk" jams that delighted the crowd. The game itself was outstanding with Houston keeping it tight until the final minute and a half, when Oakland finally put three scores back to back to pull out the win." - Kentucky.rivals

7/17: "Demarshay Johnson, a 6-foot-9 forward/center from Oakland Tech High School in Oakland, Calif., says he plans to visit Kentucky this September with his Adidas Big Time Tournament teammate, Chuck Hayes, "We plan to visit together. I think it will be fun." Johnson says that he is very open about playing on the east coast or even the Midwest, "I just want to join a program that will be the best fit for me. If it's in Kentucky, that's fine and if it's close to home that's fine. I am not locked into just playing near home." Unlike his teammate, Chuck Hayes, Johnson isn't certain he'll be in college four years, "I don't know. It all depends on what the situation is. If I am ready early, I'll just have to consider my options. Right now I just want to help my team win this tournament and take it one day at a time." - Kentucky.rivals

7/14: "a 6'9 PF from Oakland, CA is jet quick and excels at using his speed and ability to attack the basket to the fullest extent against slower post players. Johnson is being recruited by Rhode Island, Kentucky, USC, Utah, San Francisco and Louisville and says that Kentucky is certainly the leader as he is a big fan of the Lexington powerhouse. He says he has been trying to fine tune his post game and has picked up some weight, now listed at 200 pounds. Johnson carries a 2.2 GPA, and is awaiting his SAT score. Johnson starred at Oakland Tech this year and will return next season for his senior tenure. - High Major Hoops

7/10: "Demarshay Johnson (Oakland Tech H.S./Oakland, Calif.) has played better, but has a tremendous upside. At 6-9, he is a very long and lean power player who can really fly and sky. He is better facing the basket when he gets the ball, where he can use his quickness since he puts the ball on the floor well. 'Shay' is a high-major recruit with a pro upside, although he is still raw offensively at this point." - ESPN/Recruiting USA

7/7: "Kentucky, Kansas, Utah, San Francisco, and USC are the favorites for 6'8 Demarshay Johnson from Oakland (Tech) CA." - PrepStars

7/6: "Johnson has not been offered a scholarship by Kentucky. However, if Tubby Smith ever laid on the table, it wouldn't take long for Johnson to pounce on it. "It's just the school to be at," Johnson said. Smith called Johnson and said the Wildcats intend to watch him play a few times this summer and evaluate him for their program. Demarshay thinks he has a chance to play his way into a grant, but he has some work to do." - Rivals100Hoops

6/12: Listed as the 6th best PF on the West Coast. - PacWest Hoops

6/1 "Demarshay Johnson, 6-9 PF Oakland Tech, had a very solid weekend at the Mats Madness tournament in Fresno, rebounding and defending well. He needs a lot of work on his low-post game (his footwork isn't very good), and he could be more aggressive offensively, but we still like his upside due to his size and athleticism. He really flourishes in the open court game, since he's as fast as most guards, and he'll finish well if he gets to the rim. He's still very skinny and he'll need to add bulk and strength in order to play power forward at the High D-1 level. - Pac-West Hoops

4/24/00 - Report by Tracy Pierson of PacWest Hoops - DeMarshay said any list of schools is premature at this point, but he still liked providing us a list. When asked which school he preferred, he said, "Cincinnati." He then said he also liked Arizona, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, UCLA and San Francisco. Johnson, who averaged 16 points and 8 boards a game this season, said he has a 2.7 GPA and hasn't taken the SAT yet. - Pac West Hoops

Summer 99: Strengths/Weaknesses: Very athletic, live legged player… quick leaping ability… catches the ball well and dunks everything down low… can face-up and shoot, out to the 3-point line (even better from mid-range)… very wiry, sinewy muscled… not a wide variety of post moves though, aside from the turnaround and the drop step… didn’t see a jumphook or sweeping hook shot… or any counters… decent ability to put the ball on the floor and go to the basket… good shot blocking ability... tries to deny inside position on defense, but doesn't have the body (Demarshay is closer to 200 than 210) to back up his spirit; he'll be much better at 230 in about two years. Analysis: Very talented big man prospect. Johnson is a quick leaper who runs the floor well. Still developing his post game, Johnson does have a nice shooting touch. He’ll need to bulk up considerably in the next two years and add to his post move repertoire, but he’s still an excellent prospect. Good shot blocker who covers a lot of ground in the paint. Projected College Potential: High-Major - Recruiting USA