02/11/09

Although Coach Johnson is running the County Upper Basketball Academy programme, he also found time over the 2008 – 2009 season to help place both Joe Hart and Henry Utku in top programmes in the USA.

 Joe Hart England U16 Captain.

 Joe Hart is from Southend-on-sea in Essex and was the U16 England captain during the 2008 – 2009 season, he helped guid the England U16 team to a third place finish at the 2009 Division B European Championships. Also during this season Joe was invited to attend the 2009 Jordan Brand Classic in Lithuania where the top 40 U16 players from Europe were invited. Joe put together a great performance which earned him a place in the All-Star team, which was made up of the top 20 players on the camp.

 Coach Johnson helped place Joe at Blair Academy in New Jersey USA. Blair Academy is coached by Coach Mantegna, who arrived at Blair nine years ago and has quickly built Blair into a national prep school basketball powerhouse. Blair’s record since Mantegna’s arrival is 161 wins – 69 losses, including six of the last nine MAPL league titles (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) and five trips to the NJ Prep A State Finals.

Blair Academy Basketball Team was the only school in the country to put two players (Luol Deng and Charlie Villanueva) in the 2003 McDonald’s All-American Game. Nineteen former Blair players have ended up on NCAA Division I rosters in the last nine years and fifteen are currently still playing college basketball, while three are in the NBA (Royal Ivey, Luol Deng and Charlie Villanueva).

 Coach Johnson said “Joe is a very talented basketball player, with a great attitude, this is a great opportunity for him to achieve the basketball and educational goals he has set before himself. Having known Coach Mantegna for a few years I believed Blair Academy would be the best programme to send someone with Joe’s ability, he is a great coach and is in charge of a great programme. Under Coach Mantegna’s guidance I am confident that Joe will blossom into a great player, and with Blair Academy having such a prestigious basketball history Joe could have many doors opening for him once he graduates. I am glad I had the opportunity to help Joe achieve his dream and wish him all the best with his basketball and academic development”.    

Henry Utku, Ex England U16 Player

 Henry Utku who is from Norwich in Norfolk has played for England at the U16 level. After leaving high school Henry spent two years playing basketball in Turkey for a Junior U18 team . In 2007 Henry decided to look to America to continue his basketball and educational career instead of signing a professional contract in Europe. During the 2006 – 2007 season Henry was spotted by the head coach of Cuesta Junior College in California and offered a scholarship. During the 2008 – 2009 season, Henry’s final season at Cuesta Junior College Coach Johnson used his knowledge and contacts in the college system to help Henry gain options. In May 2009 Henry signed a letter of intent with St Vincent who are one of the top NCAA Div 3 schools in the country. During the 2008-2009 season St Vincent achieved a record of 23 Wins and 3 losses. St Vincent is coached by D.P. Harris. After six years as an assistant Coach Harris has now posted a record of 103 wins and 39 losses in five seasons as Head Coach, including back-to-back NAIA National Tournament Sweet Sixteen appearances. During Coach Harris’s time with the Bearcats they have been to five National Tournaments, including two Elite Eights, and two Sweet Sixteen appearances. They have also played in six Conference Championships. Harris has also seen six of his players earn a total of nine All-American honours, while five players, including Tony Washam, Kenny Roberts, Jeff Mallory, Felix Indaye, and Rob Husar, have gone on to professional careers in Europe.

 Coach Johnson said “Henry is a very good player and also a very tough player, he has a lot of experience at the elite level of basketball so should fit in well. I feel that although St Vincent will be a challenge for Henry it is a great programme to be a part of. Being under Coach Harris’s guidance will help Henry develop and improve to the level needed for signing a professional contract. Henry is a great kid and deserves this great opportunity. I wish him all the best in his future basketball endeavours”.