Chris Johnson announced his improvement with authority at Naperville North’s first open gym.
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The 6-foot-6 junior took the ball, bounced it once and threw down a two-handed dunk.
“He used to need some room and a running start — we did notice that,” Huskies coach Jeff Powers said. “Chris has always had that quiet confidence. He’s starting to realize that he’s in that special category of players.”
Count others as realizing it, too.
Johnson was a dominant force in Naperville North’s championship run at the 12th annual Hoop Mountain Shootout held June 17-18 at Batavia. Johnson and the Huskies beat Larkin and highly regarded senior Christian Negron in the final.
“In my opinion and in a lot of people’s opinion, Hoop Mountain was a coming-out party for Chris,” Powers said. “I’m biased, but he was the most dominant big man of the people I saw. He rebounded, he took it to the hole, he made a few jumpers — he did everything.”
The Huskies have picked up right where they left off in the winter.
Naperville North, with all but one starter returning from a team that finished 23-5, won the Hoop Mountain title and took second to Fenwick at the 32-team Glenbard East Shootout. They were 5-1 at Plainfield East, 5-1 at Oswego and 9-3 at the Geneva Summer League, finishing the summer 37-14.
North’s win against Larkin came in its fourth game of the day.
“It showed a lot about our team, about the kind of character we have,” Johnson said. “It showed that, even when we are tired and the game is physical, we are able to come out with a win.”
Johnson was an all-city pick as a sophomore, averaging 11.2 points and 6.6 rebounds for the DuPage Valley Conference champions. He’s hardly rested on those laurels.
He was invited to join the Illinois Wolves, giving up volleyball this spring. Johnson and the Wolves crisscrossed the country on the Under Armour circuit. A concussion in mid-April cost Johnson three weeks, but he was back for the summer.
Later this summer, he’ll be in Atlanta and will go to the University of Kansas with the Wolves.
“It’s been an experience,” Johnson said.
Powers caught his young standout on TV.
“I was in the office with (former North basketball player) Matt Hasse, and we were watching and he said, ‘Can Chris go right?’ ” Powers said. “I said, ‘No, but he’ll be able to by the end of the summer.’ “
Versatility is indeed a theme of Johnson’s spring and summer.
A rugged left-handed center, Johnson rarely stepped out of the lane to score as a sophomore. He went to his left about 99 percent of the time.
“If I can start using my right hand more, it would be a big help,” Johnson said. “I’m doing different drills all with my right hand to strengthen it.”
A midrange game also could open doors for Johnson at the next level. He has no offers yet but has been in touch with Yale, Penn, Wofford and Denver.
Johnson showcased his expanded jumper during play in the summer leagues.
“Coach is telling me to shoot more from out there,” Johnson said. “It could help me to develop a midrange game, especially going against bigger guys. The biggest thing is getting more confidence in my shot.”
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“His work ethic, his want to be better is what makes Chris so good,” Powers said. “He understands his weaknesses, and he works hard to make them strengths.”
Joshua Welge is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.