DeLaSalle's Jarvis Johnson, top Minnesota hoops recruit, to commit to Gophers

DeLaSalle senior Jarvis Johnson, the state's most highly touted 2014 basketball prospect and the Gophers' top recruiting target, is expected to commit Friday to the University of Minnesota.

In front of friends, family and classmates at the DeLaSalle gymnasium after school on Friday, the 6-1 point guard is expected to fill out coach Richard Pitino's impressive 2015 class, sources told the Star Tribune this week.

An announcement is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., and startribune.com plans to livestream the event.

Johnson is Pitino's first recruit directly out of a Minnesota high school.

The Brooklyn Park native took an official visit to the university last weekend — his only official visit. He dined with players and coaches, but the highlight for Johnson might have been attending the Minnesota-Middle Tennessee State football game.

"As soon as I walked out of the tunnel, they just started chanting my name," he said earlier this week. "It was cool to see, though. I really enjoyed that part a lot. It was kind of a surprise moment, but it kind of just made me laugh a little bit."

Minnesota — unable to snag any of last year's in-state "Big Three" of Apple Valley guard Tyus Jones (Duke), former Cooper guard Rashad Vaughn (UNLV) and DeLa Salle forward Reid Travis (Stanford) — beat out several Big Ten schools to get Johnson, who had offers from Michigan State, Wisconsin, Maryland and Penn State.

Still, Johnson adds a splashy top to a guard-heavy recruiting class that was already ranked 21st nationally by Rivals before the commitments of Johnson and 6-10 Florida center Jonathan Nwankwo, who joined his future teammate on campus last weekend. The pair joins guards Kevin Dorsey (85th nationally) and Dupree McBrayer (134th).

Johnson is a natural scorer whose athleticism allows him to drive and finish at the basket. He is praised for his court vision and ability to find teammates in transition.

While visiting the Minnesota campus, he was able to view upgrades to the Bierman Field Athletic Building, which Pitino has converted into a makeshift practice facility since his arrival at Minnesota.

"I really liked it," Johnson said. "Knowing that they work fast. From the time I was in there for the team camp, there has been a lot of progress that has been made there. I like what they're trying to do with the building."

Johnson had scheduled four other official visits, which he will no longer take: to Wisconsin next weekend and to Wichita State, UNLV and Baylor next month.

The Gophers are still recruiting Minnesotan Alex Illikainen — a 6-9 forward from Grand Rapids currently playing at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire — but do not have any scholarships available as the current roster stands.