Lefty Tajai Johnson is a junior combo guard who led Vallejo High to an 18-11 record and a second round appearance in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. As a sophomore starter on varsity for the first time, he averaged 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. For his junior year, Johnson's individual goal is to be named SCAC MVP but would sacrifice that if the Apaches win at least a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Nor Cal D2 Section title.
Johnson is the No. 7 ranked player in the NorCalPreps.com 2012 boys basketball rankings. This Apache started playing organized basketball since he was six years old. He started off with the Bay Area Trotters and then went to College Bound and through middle school with the Vallejo Hustlers. Since then, he has played for his high school team and the Drew Gooden Soldiers 16U team.
At 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, Johnson considers his best attributes to be the ability to create his own shot from the wing with his crossover and euro-steps dribble. A euro-step is a step that the player performs around a defender while attacking the basket. Johnson has his own style of play but takes notice of other high contemporary performers like John Wall and Xavier Henry.
Early this summer, Johnson sprained his ankle and had to spend six weeks rehabbing. When he returned to the court, he worked on his shooting form as his coaches had advised him to improve that aspect of his game. In addition, this Apache has been working on ball handling and other point guard skills as he believes that his height projects him as a point guard at the college level. Vallejo Coach Duke Brown says, "Tajai's strengths are his leadership and ability to make those around him better. He is becoming a real student of the game. On the court, Tajai is like another coach. He understands positioning and exploits them."
Johnson played at the Peach Jam and Fab 48 events with his Oakland Soldiers 16U team. "I think I played well enough to stay on college coaches' radar," he said. "Playing with the Soldiers have helped me a lot with my development over the past two years."
This southpaw has attracted attention from Stanford, USC, and Washington. However, Stanford and USC have shown the greatest interest as USC Head Coach Kevin O'Neil has been in contact with him. He likes Cal, Stanford, and USC because the Cardinals and Trojans have shown the most interest, while Cal has always been the school that he wants to attend. He visited USC in August for the Elite Camp and says of his visit, "The campus is amazing. I was really impressed with how well they treat the players on getting help with basketball and even more with academics."
"Taj" (nicknamed by his teammates) is looking for a college with a great coaching staff that will get him to the next level. He also wants to play in a fast tempo pace because that is the system that he is most comfortable. Johnson has no geographic restrictions but would not mind staying close to home.
"Off the court, Tajai is a humble person. He's always willing to help those less talented than himself," said coach Brown. "He hangs around the gym and works on his game, plus takes out time to help others. I think Tajai will make an impact at the next level, whether it's mid or high level D1."
Academically, Johnson has a 3.70 GPA and scored 1120 on his SAT but knows that he can do better. He would like to major in Architecture as his favorite subject is Math. Taj considers himself to be easy going and easy to get along with. However, he is seriously considering playing football for the Apaches this upcoming year. Regardless, he will be a backcourt architect for a happy NCAA program in the near future.
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