4-star talent Chris Johnson commits to Kansas men’s basketball’s 2023 recruiting class

LAWRENCE — Kansas men’s basketball earned its first public commitment for its 2023 recruiting class Tuesday, with Chris Johnson’s decision to choose the Jayhawks.

Johnson will look to join Kansas after wrapping up his high school career at Montverde Academy. At the moment, he’s a 247Sports Composite four-star combo guard, who’s ranked 33rd overall in the nation and ninth at his position.

And the 6-foot-5 and 180-pound talent’s pledge helps further the momentum of the Jayhawks’ coaching staff’s success on the recruiting trail.

“First off, I just want to thank all y’all for showing up today,” Johnson said during a video that streamed live on his Instagram. “And, really, it’s just a blessing that all of y’all could come. And first, I want to thank all the college coaches that recruited me through this whole process. And second, I want to thank all the AAU guys, all the coaches that have been there with me from the start. Like, it’s been hard, man.”

►RELATED: Kansas coach Bill Self reacts to Ochai Agbaji, Christian Braun being selected in NBA draft

Johnson, after naming some of the coaches that have been with him, added: “I’ll be planning to take my talents and commit and further my education … at the University of Kansas.”

Last recruiting cycle saw Kansas add four class of 2022 signees, in Gradey Dick, MJ Rice, Ernest Udeh Jr. and Zuby Ejiofor. The Jayhawks also brought in a transfer from Texas Tech in Kevin McCullar. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the majority of them earned significant roles as Kansas looks to put together a second-straight national championship run, or if more than one is in the starting lineup for the Battle 4 Atlantis opener against NC State on Nov. 23 as they look to make that happen.

►RELATED: Here are 4 Kansas basketball players Bill Self thinks could be picked in 2023 NBA draft

What Johnson’s potential role in year one could look like, at this point, is far more unclear. Dick, Rice and McCullar are among those who could make the jump to the professional ranks after this year, and if one or more heads to the NBA in 2023 that means key roles would likely be up for grabs.

There’s also the resolution of the NCAA infractions case to consider concerning Kansas and potential penalties that could follow, although it isn’t certain when that all will come or their severity.

“Johnson is a big guard with size and strength alike,” 247Sports’ director of scouting, Adam Finkelstein, said in an evaluation of Johnson. “He changes speeds, protects the ball at a high level going through the lane, and can score the ball in numerous ways inside the arc. He needs to keep progressing as a three-point threat with both inconsistent mechanics and a bit of a hard ball.

"Defensively, he has tools that should eventually be able to translate at a high level, although he has yet to make that end of the floor a consistent priority. Overall, he is confident, physical, and plays with an edge, that can be either a competitive advantage or disadvantage depending on how it is impacting him.”

More: Kansas men’s basketball’s Bill Self, Kurtis Townsend haven't been recruiting on road, reports say

Kansas, which now has its exhibition opener for the upcoming season against Pittsburg State scheduled for Nov. 3, has some options when it comes to where it could turn next on the recruiting trail.

Four-star Taison Chatman and five-star Mikey Williams both visited this summer, and Chatman has the Jayhawks in his top five. According to a Rivals report, five-star Dennis Evans will visit during Late Night in the Phog. And there’s the potential for head coach Bill Self and his staff to turn to the transfer portal again, too.

Kansas’ needs may change, depending on how the months ahead play out.

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: KU basketball lands commitment from 4-star talent Chris Johnson