Time sped up, news hurtling in from across social media. London Johnson would be committing to Virginia. London Johnson would not be committing to Virginia. London Johnson would be shipping off to the G-League.
Then 3:30 hit, the time scheduled for the four-star guard to announce his decision. Time slowed down. Dragged by, in fact. London Johnson would not be announcing his decision today.
The delay was the second time Johnson has pushed back his commitment, not offering explanation on either occasion to bemused media and fans.
Much remains murky; what is becoming apparent is that Johnson is not destined for Tony Bennett’s program. Jerry Ratcliffe reported Thursday afternoon that “Johnson notified Virginia coaches on Thursday afternoon that he is not coming to Charlottesville.”
For months, this seemed like a done deal. Johnson, ranked 25th in his class by 247 Sports, appeared headed for Grounds, potentially as early as 2022 because of a potential reclassification. Johnson was a five-star prospect at one point, and anticipation rippled through the Wahoo fanbase.
But now Johnson is out of reach, pulled out to the open ocean by rip tides in the form of NIL deals. Freelance writer Jim Howington has been covering Johnson’s commitment, and he hinted at some serious news on that front. “Let’s put it this way,” Howington wrote. “If money and NIL weren’t a factor, the story wouldn’t have changed.”
The change referred to is the one-eighty Johnson conducted from surefire Wahoo to wiping Virginia off his list. Clearly, some other school(s) tempted Johnson with lucrative NIL deals, and Johnson succumbed to the tantalizing offers.
Virginia has been quiet in the realm of NIL, at least compared to other programs. A few players have benefited from minor deals, but that’s the extent of it. Virginia has been content to drive in the slow lane when it comes to NIL. Thursday, a couple cars zipped by them in the fast lane.
To catch up, Virginia has to hit the accelerator, and fast. All around us come tales of schools getting and retaining talent through NIL. The most notable example is perhaps Kentucky, which is negotiating lucrative NIL deals to bring Oscar Tshiebwe back for another season. Tshiebwe is the kind of player many expected to jump to the NBA at the first opportunity—he has a family in Congo he hopes to bring to the United States—but with the NIL deals Kentucky is pulling for him, Tshiebwe can make the sufficient money while staying in school.
The result (from a basketball perspective): The Wildcats get to keep the National Player of the Year. How? By reaping the benefits of NIL.
Recruiting used to be about selling high school players on certain points: the school, the coaches, the program, etc. Add to the list: the amount of money we can make you.
This crushing affair will hopefully awaken Virginia to the significance of NIL. The Hoos need to up their game. Otherwise, this will become a trend.
6 comments
Check out the Clark Collective and Horns for Heart, claimed charities paying $150,000 to every scholarship offensive lineman on the University of Texas – Austin football team!
Anybody recall the 1994 movie “Blue Chips” with Nick Nolte, Shaquille O’Nesl, Marquis Johnson and cameo appearances by Bobby Knight and Rick Pitino? Well, we will now have “blue chips on steroids,” with wealthy alums dictating who goes where, who stays and who leaves when. We just lost the college game we’ve come to love.
The NIL is going to ruin the game. It’s going to allow the same 8-10 schools to get whoever they want. They should introduce a NIL amount cap for each school like a salary cap of sorts. This will keep the game more honest (although schools will find ways around that too)
Been nice if you would have explained what NIL even is in your article,don’t assume everybody know the context of what you’re trying to relate, notice how confusing I am writing, same difference.
NIL is a new rule that allows college players to profit from their Name, Image, & Likeness. The biggest way players are profiting are from social media advertisements for businesses. The larger a schools following the greater potential for NIL profits.
I was under the impression that you couldn’t recruit from a NIL point of view. I that was supposed to happen after the commitment was made.
Comments are closed.