Class of 2023 five-star A.J. Johnson decommits from Texas, will play in Australian NBL

By CHARLIE PARENT

A.J. Johnson, a top-15 recruit in the class of 2023, has decommitted from Texas and will play in the Australian NBL next season.

The 6-foot-5 guard out of Southern California Academy (CA.) becomes the first American since Lamelo Ball (’19) to take the Australian pro route.

Ball was the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

ESPN Reporting with @DraftExpress: California high school guard AJ Johnson – a projected 2024 NBA Draft lottery pick – has decommitted from Texas and signed a deal with the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian NBL: https://t.co/vGwl3hgj0o

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 13, 2023

Johnson is currently a projected lottery pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

For Rodney Terry and Texas, Johnson’s decomittment leave the Longhorns with just one recruit in their 2023 class: five-star Ron Holland.

Holland will likely be an immediate starter, especially after former top-five recruit Dillon Mitchell declared for the NBA Draft on Wednesday.

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