"Built for Pressure, Wired to Compete"

Tyler Johns

@TylerJohns_33

IG: @ty_johns33

5'11, Class of 2029 PG/SG

White Lake Lakeland HS, MI

Tyler steps on the floor with a competitive edge that shows immediately. A versatile two-way guard, he can hit shots from anywhere, handle the ball with confidence, and take on tough defensive assignments without blinking. He is comfortable creating his own looks, but what truly separates him, especially as a freshman on the varsity level, is his vision and anticipation. He sees the floor early, understands spacing, and delivers the ball where it needs to go, often a step ahead of the defense. There is a natural leadership to the way he plays, steady, vocal, and focused, with the toughness to grow into a true lockdown defender on the other end.

That growth has been evident over the past year. After playing middle school basketball and AAU winter and spring ball, where he averaged over 15 points per game, Tyler has grown physically and confidently. The biggest improvement has come in his shooting, where he has developed into a high-confidence outside threat, opening the floor and allowing him to succeed at the varsity level as a freshman. Over his last 3 games, he has shot over 50 percent from 3, forcing defenders to close hard, which only plays into his strength as a downhill attacker who prides himself on getting to the rim with grit and toughness.

His varsity debut came on a big stage. After averaging just over 15 points per game on JV, Coach Thompson moved Tyler up, and his first varsity action came at the Always in My Bag game in Detroit on MLK Day. Tyler scored 13 points and led all scorers, playing with poise and confidence well beyond his years. The moment never felt too big. Pressure never sped him up. If anything, it sharpened his focus and pulled more out of him.

What fuels Tyler is competition. He hates to lose and loves being doubted, embracing the underdog role as a freshman and turning every game into an opportunity to surprise people. Adversity and pressure are where he feels most comfortable, taking ownership during tough stretches and helping pull teammates back into the game plan. That mindset has been shaped by years around the game and reinforced by a simple belief that pressure means the moment matters. Tyler welcomes it because leadership lives there.

Looking ahead, his focus is on building strength and explosiveness toward the rim, improving first-step explosiveness, and finishing through contact. As he continues to grow, he is expected to handle the point more next season, creating even more opportunities for teammates while continuing to impact the game on both ends. In the spring, he will compete with the Inspire U 2029 AAU team, another step in his development as a rising guard.

There are no offers yet, and that is exactly where Tyler is comfortable. Right now, the love for the game drives everything. His long-term goal over the next 3.5 seasons is to elevate the Lakeland program, bring the talent together, and win championships by committing to the process as a team.

I assess that Tyler’s combination of shooting growth, court vision, and competitive edge gives a program a guard who can impact games without needing the offense built around him. His willingness to defend, lead, and take on pressure moments adds real value at a young age.

As Tyler continues to add strength and explosiveness, expect his ability to control games to expand on both ends of the floor. With his mindset, feel for the game, and steady upward growth, he is emerging as a rising guard with major breakout potential as his role continues to grow. Stay tuned.