1-on-1 with new Gophers coach Ben Johnson

New Gophers men’s baskeetball coach Ben Johnson has had numerous conversations in his one week on the job, including with our Joe Schmit.

***Click the video box above to watch Joe’s 1-on-1 chat with Ben***

Joe and Ben talked about recruiting, whether he’ll go hard after 5-star players, the importance of dominating the state, how long he’s been preparing for this opportunity, and if he wants to be involved in social justice issues.

KSTP Sports knows of these recruits that Johnson has already been in contact with: Indiana transfer Race Thompson (Armstrong HS), George Washington transfer Jamison Battle (DeLaSalle HS), Northern St. transfer Parker Fox (Mahtomedi HS), Ball St. transfer Ish El-Amin (Hopkins HS), and high school players Chet Holmgren (Minnehaha Academy), Joe Hurlburt (Enderlin, ND), Tre Holloman (Cretin D-H), Demarion Watson (Totino-Grace), Ahjany Lee (Byron HS), and Cam Heide (Wayzata HS).

Johnson will have a Zoom chat with Fox on Tuesday, had one with Battle late last week.

Johnson has also caught up with ex-players Bobby Jackson, Kevin McHale, J.B. Bickerstaff, Mychal Thompson, and many more. To a man, alumni want to help Johnson as much as they can.

Johnson is expected to finalize his coaching staff this week.