PREPS PLUS

Jalen Johnson transferring to Nicolet from Sun Prairie, along with younger brother Kobe

Jeff Potrykus
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Jalen Johnson will be a junior in the fall.

MADISON – Incoming junior forward Jalen Johnson, one of the top basketball recruits in the 2020 class, announced Sunday via Twitter he is transferring to Nicolet High School from Sun Prairie.

Kobe Johnson, an incoming sophomore and the younger brother of Jalen Johnson, also is transferring to Nicolet. 

Jalen Johnson averaged about 19 points and 10 rebounds per game as a sophomore last season to help Sun Prairie reach the WIAA Division 1 state tournament for the first time. Kobe Johnson averaged 2.6 points per game for the Cardinals in limited playing time as a freshman.

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The Knights already had picked up a significant transfer in the off-season, with 2020 guard Desmond Polk announcing in May he was transferring from New Berlin West to Nicolet. Polk will be one of the top junior prospects in the state and has scholarship offers from Kansas State, Georgia Tech, Minnesota, DePaul, Bradley, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Green Bay, Southern Illinois and Missouri State.

Among Jalen Johnson's two dozen suitors are Wisconsin, Duke, North Carolina, Arizona, Kansas, UCLA and West Virginia.

Led by Jamari Sibley, the Knights made it to the sectional final last season and return three of their top five scorers. With the additions of the Johnsons and Polk, Nicolet instantly becomes a favorite to be one of top teams in the state.

The Johnson brothers play for Phenom University on the AAU circuit. Jalen plays on the 16U team, along with Sibley. Kobe plays on the 15U team.

Patrick Baldwin, an incoming sophomore at Sussex Hamilton, scored 20 points and Jalen Johnson and Sibley added 15 points apiece to help Phenom University to a 73-57 victory over All Ohio EYBL in the title game of the 17U AAU Super Showcase on Sunday in Orlando. 

Curt Hogg of the Now News Group contributed to this report.