He’s ready to spread his wings.
Brooklyn Law & Tech senior Mikko Johnson is Division I-bound after verbally committing to the St. Peter’s men’s basketball team on Oct. 28.
Johnson visited the school and immediately knew he’d found his future home and teammates.
“I took a trip around the school, and I saw the school and met with the coaches, and I just really like it,” Johnson said. “I think it’s the best fit for me.”
Johnson is just the second Division I commit from the Jets — Matt Scott is currently a junior at Niagara — and he’s the first to admit that he was a bit surprised when he got the offer from the Peacocks roughly a month ago.
“I was very excited, because I’ve had a few rough injuries that made me feel down about my game,” Johnson said. “Basketball is a really emotional sport, even more than physical. So my emotions were going down, and I wasn’t all that motivated. But then, as we started to have that great summer, it motivated me more to work harder and know that I can achieve something.”
Johnson has always boasted a solid stat line — he averaged 17 points, 6.63 rebounds, and 6.13 assists last season — but he settled into his own recently, competing with the Jets on the summer and fall-league circuit. And St. Peter’s took notice.
Now, Johnson is planning for the future — and for where he’ll fit in on a Peacocks squad that finished 14–16 last season.
“I’m probably going to be playing the one,” Johnson said. “I think I’m a good leader, and as I get older, I’ll become an even better leader. I know that spending time with some of their upperclassmen will help me grow and mature.”
Johnson also added that his experience running the Jets’ offense over the last few seasons will help make the transition to the college game easier. He’s most comfortable with the ball in his hands, reading a defense, and finding the open man on the court.
“When the ball is in your hands, you control the tempo of the game,” Johnson said. “You’re really in control of everything. So that definitely helps you become a leader.”
Johnson took in a Peacocks practice during his visit — meeting with the coaching staff and players — and the time spent in the gym only solidified his choice. He didn’t field offers from any other schools — St. Peter’s simply made the most sense.
“I really just liked the way they worked, and I think I can fit in perfectly,” Johnson said.
Now, the senior’s got jhis sights set on contending for a city title. Brooklyn Law & Tech came up short last season, falling in the quarterfinals, and Johnson is determined to lead his team to the top before taking his game to the next level. He’s also breathing a bit easier now, knowing his future is set and, most importantly, free.
“It’s a huge weight off my shoulders,” Johnson said. “I get a free education, and it’s also going to take a lot of weight off my mother’s shoulders. She doesn’t have to pay for my college, and that’s really important to me.”