OSU Signs Forward Karron Johnson

Johnson is ranked as the nation's top JUCO recruit by Rivals.com

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:02 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Nov 15, 2010 7:3 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

STILWATER, Oklahoma – Karron Johnson, ranked as the top junior college player in the country by several services, signed with Oklahoma State on Monday.

The four-star Johnson originally signed with OSU out of high school in November 2009, but ended up having to take the JUCO route, heading to Moberly Area Community College.

He averaged 21.6 points and eight rebounds for MACC in 2009-10.

Johnson then transferred to Midland College (Texas) where he will play for the Chaparrals this season, who are ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA preseason poll.

OSU assistant coach Butch Pierre, who headed up Johnson's recruitment, said Johnson has been working hard to reach the Division I level.

“He will be able to bring us some rebounding and athleticism in a player that can be a major impact for our program from day one," Pierre said. "He will be a huge complement to LeBryan Nash.”

At 6-8, 225 pounds, Johnson was the 45th-ranked player in the country coming out of high school, according to recruiting service Rivals.com.

The Cowboys also recently signed five-star forward LeBryan Nash, who is ranked among the top five players nationally by several services.

Oklahoma State’s class for 2011 is rated the 10th-best nationally and second in the Big 12, according to Rivals, despite having just two players sign.

Johnson was a third-team NJCAA All-American at Moberly and is one of six returning All-Americans in junior college this year.

Pierre said the program at Midland College will help prepare Johnson to step onto the court at OSU and be ready to contribute from day one.

“They have a regimented training program and they’re the No. 1 ranked junior college team in the nation," Pierre said. "There’s a reason for that. Going through that program is going to help him develop some good habits. He already has the tools to be able to step in right away and help this program as it heads in the right direction.”