Just two days after his official visit to Spokane for the exhibition against Western Oregon, four-star recruit Dooney Johnson out of the 2027 class committed to the Zags. ESPN’s Myron Medcalf reports that the school’s support of Tyon Grant-Foster’s push for another year of eligibility was a factor in his decision.
“It was how they all fought for (Tyon Grant-Foster) and went to court for him and really came together in these tough moments. It really meant a lot. Even with me coming down at that time, they still took care of me.” – Dooney Johnson via ESPN’s Myron Medcalf
Torre Johnson Jr., Dooney’s father, coached Jalen Suggs on the grassroots circuit when he was in fifth grade. That also influenced his decision to join the Pacific Northwest program. Similarities between the athletic Suggs and Johnson are quite visible.
Johnson, a 6-5 guard, was hearing from other schools like Wake Forest, Marquette, Syracuse, LSU, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Gonzaga assistant coach Zach Norvell took a trip to Milwaukee to check in on Johnson in September, and assistant coach Brian Micahelson was his primary recruiter during this process.
Out of Milwaukee Juneau in Wisconsin, he averaged 25.3 points per game on a 52 percent from the field, 49 percent on three-pointers, and 79 percent from the free throw line in just his freshman season of high school. Johnson also contributed 9.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game.
Representing Team Herro on the Nike EYBL circuit (his father is the assistant director), he ranks as the No. 17 overall prospect, No. 3 point guard in 2027, and No. 1 prospect coming out of the state of Wisconsin (per Rivals).
Since October 1st, the Zags have landed four commits from across the United States and internationally:
Germany’s combo guard Jack Kayil (2026)
Mississippi’s four-star center Sam Funches (2026)
Pennsylvania’s four-star wing Luca Foster (2026)
Wisconsin’s four-star guard Dooney Johnson (2027)
The ‘Zags got dudes’ phrase couldn’t be more true at this exact time for this program. Out of all the names, Johnson is the most impressive and intriguing due to his ability to guard and compete at multiple positions from one through three at a high level. He’s an inventive playmaker who can contour and finesse his body around the basket while finishing with force. Johnson is a self-starter who isn’t afraid to get physical and tough on the boards.
Props to the Zag Kennel Club, a ‘good luck charm’ for Gonzaga, which is 3-for-3 when receiving commits after chanting recruits’ names on their official visits.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
