Sidiki Johnson is on the move again.
The gifted 6-foot-9, Arizona-bound forward is leaving St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.) for national power Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.). Johnson, who left St. Raymond for the New Jersey powerhouse after his sophomore year, opted to transfer again, his mentor Bernard Bowen said, because St. Ben’s coach Danny Hurley left for Wagner College.
“It put a damper on things,” Bowen said. “It was time for him to put himself in a position to be more stable with a coach like Steve Smith who has built a powerhouse. At this point, it’s about Sidiki getting ready for college as a person and ballplayer. At Oak Hill, that’s what he’s gonna get.”
Johnson is the latest New York City product to join Smith’s powerhouse program, which has produced NBA players such as Rajon Rondo, Josh Smith, and Carmelo Anthony. Lamont (Momo) Jones, Johnson’s good friend and future teammate at Arizona, went there, as did Kentucky-bound guard Doron Lamb of Queens.
“He needs to be a part of something like that,” Bowen said. “This will be a better fit.”
Smith is just as happy to have Johnson in the fold.
“I like his length, ability to play inside and out, and be a factor on both ends of the floor,” he said. “He should be a good player and student for us next year.”
Bowen make it clear Johnson plans to sign with Arizona next year. He has developed a close bond with coach Sean Miller and is tight with assistant Emmanuel (Book) Richardson, a close family friend.
“I don’t see him at this time anywhere else but Arizona,” Bowen said.
