Baltimore Product Adam (Maurice) Johnson Transfers to Lakehead

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 8, 2011

Baltimore, MD Import Johnson Finalizes 2011-12 Basketball Recruiting Class

THUNDER BAY, ON -

Lakehead University Head Coach Scott Morrison is excited to announce a final commitment to the Thunderwolves men’s basketball program for the 2011-12 season. Adam Johnson, a 6’6’ transfer, will round out the class and become the latest of a growing list of L.U. standouts from the Baltimore-D.C. area. (Joe Jones, Kiraan Posey, Warren Thomas etc.).

Coach Morrison believe Johnson will be an excellent fit with the team; “Adam has the type of physical attributes that will allow him to guard just about any position on the floor at the CIS level. Like any new player he will have some weaknesses to improve but overall we feel he will be an impact player at both ends of the court and a strong character that will eventually provide the additional toughness and leadership we will need to get back to the Final 8 next season.”

Johnson played one year at Cecil Community College in Maryland and led Cecil to a district 16 championship and an appearance in the NJCAA Division 2 national championship tournament where he was named to the All-Tournament team. While at Cecil, Johnson was a ‘double-double’ machine during his one season averaging just under 15 points and over 10 rebounds per contest. Johnson ‘sat out’ during 2010-11 and enters Lakehead with four years of CIS eligibility remaining.

Said Johnson from his home in Baltimore; “I am grateful for this opportunity to come to Thunder Bay and both attend a great school like Lakehead as well as get a chance to bring hard work, determination and excitement to a winning basketball program.”

Prior to attending Cecil CC, Johnson helped lead his local high school – Baltimore City College – to a class 2A Maryland State Title. His assistant coach at Baltimore City, Tony Biggers, believes that Lakehead has recruited an impact player; “Adam is very coachable and he brings tremendous leadership both on and off the court to Canada. He has been a winner wherever he has played and has the abilities to help bring Lakehead to a higher level.”

Johnson is the 6th and final new addition for the Thunderwolves this off-season. The team announced 5 pure freshmen earlier this spring. The incoming class will include – Johnson (6’6” G/F), Michael Thorne-Finch (6’7” F), Joseph Nitychoruk (6’6” G/F), Brandon Myketa (6’3” G), Alex Robichaud (6’1” G) and Sylvestor “JR” Alexander (6’2” G).

Coach Morrison is confident that this year’s class has the ability and potential to be among the top incoming groups in the CIS: “Only hindsight will tell us which schools have done the best job recruiting this off-season, we are extremely excited about the group we have coming in. With 7-8 seniors on our roster, the challenge is to reload without having to rebuild all at once. Our class this summer has the ability to make a major impact with our program next year, as well as the youth to ensure that we can have an experienced roster for the next 4-5 seasons.