Johnson Expands Rutgers Post Options

Fred Hill's team needed overtime to secure a pair of commitments Monday night. Austin Johnson pledged on the heels of a "yes" from Greg Echenique.

The Scarlet Knights are working overtime this week. On Monday night, Fred Hill’s program landed No. 38 junior Greg Echenique. Hours later, the program struck again.

This time, Hill went big once more. Austin Johnson, a 6-foot-7 power forward by way of Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J., committed to the program.

A strong compliment to Echenique, he’s a worker in the post with good feet and adept hands. A native of Philadelphia, Johnson has been a fixture with Jim Salmon’s Playaz Basketball Club.

“It’s a good fit for the kid,” Salmon said. “He’ll never have to play center.”

Johnson, according to multiple sources, will spend next season as a post graduate player at Blair Academy, the same program which produced Luol Deng and Charlie Villanueva.

Rutgers recent emphasis has been on reconstructing its frontcourt. With the additions of Echenique and now Johnson in a complimentary role, Fred Hill more options in the post.