[cward23Participant]

Dakari Johnson is a 6’9* 240 pound monster. His abilities at the age of 14 have started to receive notable attention among scouts, college coaches and fans alike. Dakari’s incredible feel for the game is unmatched among his peers. He finishes through contact at a very high rate, has a great set of paws where he catches everything in his area, can put the ball on the floor and is a very good athlete considering his size and age. He also does a great job blocking shots and rebounding in his area.

The following highlight video is from a few games at 16U D1 AAU Nationals/ 15U Nike Super Showcase(July 23rd-31st in Lake Bueno Vista, FL)

and from 1/2 of a game at the NY Gauchos Roundball Classic on July 8th.

Dakari has played for the famed Nike Elite New York Gauchos AAU program the past 7 years under the tutelage of his Coach Tommy Swinton. Swinton had nothing but high praises to say about Dakari from his tremendous work ethic to his high character and willingness to be coached. During the month of July, Johnson played up one age group in the 15 and under Nike Super Showcase as well as up two age groups at the 16 and under AAU Division 1 Nationals. According to Swinton, Johnson averaged 15.2 points, 13.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.2 blocks per game. Johnson proved those in attendance that he was the most dominant player in the entire tournament. Dakari spent a good portion of his games at the line as defenders resorted to hacking due to his massive size and skill advantage. Johnson shot a sensational 85% throughout the tournament from the free throw line and led his team to the Super Showcase Championship game as well as the 16U D1 Nationals Classic Bracket Elite 8.

Dakari drew double and triple teams throughout the tournament in which he used his stellar court vision and awareness to find the open man whether cutting or setting up for a spot up jump shot. Dakari attributes his high assist average to him constantly being double and triple teamed growing up. His unselfish nature created multitudes of scoring opportunities for his teammates throughout the month of July.

At 6’9, and 14 years old, Dakari has already surpassed Shaquille O’Neals listed height of 6’6 when he was 14. Dakari has the dominance of a Shaq while possessing the ability of a David Robinson and passing savvy of Greg Monroe. Dakari told ScoutsFocus he tries to mold his game after Demarcus Cousins. No need to worry, Dakari has a terrific attitude.

Colleges have already started sniffing. At Dakaris games this July were the who’s who of colleges. ScoutsFocus spotted Kentucky, Villanova, Virginia, West Virginia, Xavier, Oklahoma State, Maryland, St John’s, Virginia Tech, Georgetown, and Rutgers making special visits to evaluate and woo the highly talented power forward in Florida. Makini Cambell, Dakaris mother, confirmed the arrival of mail which has already started to trickle in from major universities. Syracuse, Virginia Tech, LSU, Ohio State, and Oregan have sent letters of interest to the talented prospect.

However, Dakari hasn’t even enrolled in a high school and is facing an even more immediate decision on where he will attend school the next 4 years. His family is eyeing two final options; St Patrick’s (NJ) and Blair Academy (NJ). St Patrick’s is a perennial prep powerhouse led by the colorful Kevin Boyle and Blair Academy is led by Joe Mantegna who has pumped out such Pro’s as Luol Deng and Charlie Villanueva. Academia plays a pivotal role in Dakaris life where he is a fixture on his schools’ Honor Roll list and his mother worked as a guidance counselor at a middle school in Kentucky last year.

Johnson’s mother, Makini Campbell, stands 6’5 and grandfather is 6’8. They both played Division 1 basketball at Long Island University while Dakaris dad, who stands 6’10, had his stint at St Francis. Dakari spent his first 11 years in Brooklyn, New York. The last three years, Dakari has lived in Kentucky while spending his summers with his grandparents in New York to continue playing his summer ball with the New York Gauchos. He attributes much of his development to former Mr. Kentucky Charles Thomas, who has trained him over the last three years.

We asked Dakari if he had any favorites growing up and he answered quite quickly that Syracuse was his dream school growing up. But he said that all in all, his long term aspirations are to play Division 1 basketball and to “hopefully play in the NBA.”

*Dakari was last measured in April as 6’8 by his doctor without shoes but he has grown an inch to 6’9 since then. He has grown 5 inches over the last year.

**Last reports are that Andrew Wiggins is going to play his high school ball in Canada this year. Wiggins would be Dakari’s competition for the top spot.

http://www.scoutsfocus.com/dakari.html

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

lol they were really overexagerrating with the NBA comparisons.

but since i found this old thread i might as well bump it with a update.

now he’s a Freshmen in Kentucky, as most of us know. he seems to have a good post game with decent footwork,jus not a good athlete. if he stays another year he could enter the lottery for the 2015 NBA draft.

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

lol they were really overexagerrating with the NBA comparisons.

but since i found this old thread i might as well bump it with a update.

now he’s a Freshmen in Kentucky, as most of us know. he seems to have a good post game with decent footwork,jus not a good athlete. if he stays another year he could enter the lottery for the 2015 NBA draft.

[McDunkin]

History has already been made with him. He joins the ranks of Deshawn “Jordan” Stevenson in the best of this sites worst NBA comparison…Shaq?

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 lol to be fair, when he was 14 he probably did look like Shaq dominating 5’3 centers ..lol.

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 lol to be fair, when he was 14 he probably did look like Shaq dominating 5’3 centers ..lol.

[McDunkin]

History has already been made with him. He joins the ranks of Deshawn “Jordan” Stevenson in the best of this sites worst NBA comparison…Shaq?

[McDunkin]

The shaq comparison didn’t come until his senior/junior years of high school 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 you sure? cus in the OP was the 1st time i heard those comparisons and thats when he was 14. he was in 8th grade when this article came out.

 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 you sure? cus in the OP was the 1st time i heard those comparisons and thats when he was 14. he was in 8th grade when this article came out.

 

[McDunkin]

The shaq comparison didn’t come until his senior/junior years of high school 

[Author]

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