The news cycle regarding Auburn basketball has been wild over the last several days with coaching hires, de-commitments, and other roster moves.
On Friday, the Tigers received a bit of good news as former Alabama-Huntsville wing [autotag]Chaney Johnson[/autotag] announced his commitment to Auburn during a recent visit to the Plains.
Johnson had an impressive three-year career with the Chargers, where he averaged 13.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Last season, Johnson was named the Gulf South Conference Player of the Year after scoring 15.9 points per game, making 51% of his shots. He also reached a career-high in rebounds by pulling down 6.6 per game.
Johnson is a native of Alabaster but has family that lives in nearby Alexander City. He says that the proximity to his loved ones played a role in his commitment.
“I feel like Auburn is the place for me,” Johnson said in an interview with Auburn Undercover following his commitment. “It means a lot being a lot closer to my family and being a lot closer to my grandma in Alexander City. Going to school at UAH, I’m coming from the North to the South. To come see my grandma was a three-and-a-half-hour drive. Now I’m closer to be able to see her. I’m closer to a lot of my family and a lot of them on my mom’s side are big Auburn fans.”
The downfall to Johnson’s commitment is that he grew up supporting Auburn’s archrival, Alabama. Hopefully, it is something that he can move past.
“Coach Pearl tried to get me to say War Eagle and I couldn’t say it, even after I committed,” Johnson said. “I’ll get used to it eventually.”
Johnson becomes the second guard to commit to Auburn from the transfer portal, joining [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag]. Auburn now has four guards that will see action next season. In addition to Jones and Johnson, Auburn returns [autotag]Tre Donaldson[/autotag] and will bring in [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag].
110% COMMITED. Let’s get to work @AuburnMBB!! pic.twitter.com/3uhubbohfI
— Chaney Johnson (@__cjohn__) April 21, 2023
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