After two months of consideration, Ben Johnson couldn’t resist returning to where his athletic career began – his home state of Minnesota.
The guard, who opted in March to leave Northwestern’s basketball squad after two seasons, decided Monday to play his final two years of college basketball for Minnesota. In addition to playing near his family’s home and his high school, Minneapolis’ De La Salle, Johnson said the chance to play with old friends on a successful team made the Golden Gophers his clear first choice.
“I’ll get to play with my friends from AAU ball,” Johnson said, “and Minnesota is a team that has Top 25 and NCAA tournament potential each year, as well as a chance to win the Big Ten title.”
Style of play also factored heavily in the decision, according to Johnson. In contrast to NU coach Bill Carmody’s half-court motion offense, Minnesota’s Dan Monson prefers a faster pace.
“Monson’s system is more guard-oriented and up-tempo with two guards pushing the ball up the floor,” Johnson explained. “He coaches players to play within his sytem, but at the same time there is lots of freedom. Monson is a proven coach who can mold teams into winners.”
Monson came to Minnesota in 1999 after leading Gonzaga to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament. He took over a program in turmoil after an academic scandal under previous head coach Clem Haskins. Monson is 30-30 in his two seasons, and led the Gophers to an NIT bid last year.
A Minnesota official said Monson could not comment on Johnson or a transfer at this point in time, since any player signing now would have to walk on, and therefore would not be committed to playing for the Gophers until school begins in the fall.
Johnson’s second choice, Michigan State, features another proven coach at the helm in Tom Izzo. But even with the allure of playing for a team that has made it to the Final Four each of the last three years, Izzo could not convince Johnson to suit up in green and white.
“Coach Izzo wanted what was best for me, and he thought that was Michigan State,” Johnson said. “It helped that they had (former NU assistant) Brian Gregory, who recruited me to Northwestern, but in the end I just went with my gut feeling.”
Both Missouri and South Carolina had contacted Johnson, but he said neither was ever much of a factor.
Johnson’s decision without a doubt was influenced by the people he consulted. He credited his high school coach for helping identify the best fit for his basketball skills, but he also talked with former Chicago Bulls guard and Minnesota high school player of the year Khalid El-Amin. Boyhood friend and current Boston College standout Troy Bell gave advice as well.
His parents apparently did not play a large role in the decision, but they seemed surprised that thier son took as long as he did to decide.
His mother, Kathy, had said over the weekend that she had hoped her son would have committed already.
“I’m happy for Ben,” Hal Johnson said on Monday, after the decision had been made. “I’m not so much relieved, but I’m sure he’s given it plenty of thought. He’s opening a new chapter in his life.”
NCAA rules stipulate that Johnson must sit out next year’s basketball season, and for transferring to another Big Ten school he will have to pay his way at Minnesota, which will cost about $13,000 a year. Johnson said he will spend the time off next year focusing on academics, adding pounds to his frame in the weight room and learning the intricacies of Minnesota’s offense. He said he expects to play significant minutes during the 2002-03 season.
As for Northwestern, Johnson said he is not sure what to expect when returning to Evanston in a Minnesota uniform two years down the road. He did say, however, that he has nothing but positive feelings about NU, his teammates and Carmody.
“I have no idea what kind of reception to expect back at NU,” Johnson said. “(It will be strange to) come back to Welsh-Ryan Arena in the visiting locker room.”
