"The Silent Assassin With a Three-Level Attack and Winning Fire"

CJ Johnson

@CJJohson_15

6'1, Class of 2028

La Cueva HS, NM

"The Silent Assassin" is the perfect nickname for CJ because he does his damage without needing the spotlight to prove how good he is. Every trip down the floor, he finds a different way to impact the game, whether it's raining in shots from deep, attacking the basket, creating easy opportunities for teammates, or simply making the right basketball play. His high basketball IQ, competitive fire, and team-first mentality make him a tough matchup from start to finish. Defenders have to respect his shooting, stay in front of his quick first step, and account for his court vision because he is just as comfortable setting up a teammate as he is filling up the scoreboard. No matter the situation, CJ competes with everything he has and refuses to give an inch.

His sophomore season at La Cueva was filled with memorable moments that showed his growth as both a player and a leader. CJ shot better than 40 percent from three-point range while delivering big performances in the district championship and again in the Round of 16 during the state tournament. Those games helped lead La Cueva all the way to the state semifinals and gave him valuable experience playing meaningful basketball when every possession mattered. Once the high school season ended, he carried that momentum into the spring and summer with D1 New Mexico on the MADE Hoops circuit while continuing to expand his game through daily workouts with one of his high school coaches.

Colorado Live became another statement performance for "The Silent Assassin." La Cueva entered Championship Sunday without a true big man, but they never let that become an excuse. Instead, they relied on toughness, grit, togetherness, and relentless effort to battle bigger teams all weekend long. After trailing at halftime in the championship game, CJ caught fire and completely changed the momentum. He finished with 25 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals while leading La Cueva to an exciting 72-65 comeback win over Horizon. He rained in big shots from the outside, attacked defenders off the bounce, made smart reads whenever the defense collapsed, and delivered every time his team needed a play. His performance throughout the weekend showed exactly why his teammates trust him in the biggest moments.

One of the biggest improvements in CJ's game has been attacking off the bounce and finishing through contact. Countless hours in the gym have made him much more dangerous once he gets downhill, adding another weapon to an already strong outside shooting game. The biggest challenge he faced was earning his coaches' trust on the defensive end. He accepted that challenge instead of avoiding it, putting in the work to become a stronger on-ball defender and proving he could compete at a high level on both sides of the floor. That commitment has helped turn him into a more complete player.

When CJ plays against highly ranked or well-known players, he doesn't see their reputation. He sees opportunity. His mindset is that everyone expects those players to be better, and that gives him another chance to prove he belongs in the conversation too. He embraces those matchups, welcomes the competition, and lets his game do the talking instead of worrying about names or rankings.

The behind-the-scenes work has become the foundation of everything he is building. Since the season ended, CJ has been in the gym every day, working with one of his school coaches, while also spending time in the weight room to get stronger and build a body that can handle the long grind of a season. His focus has been on improving his ball-handling, developing a punishing middy, and becoming a true three-level scorer who can hurt defenses from anywhere on the floor. His AAU goals are to win games, keep improving, and earn the attention his game deserves.

Every coach can expect a player who never stops competing from the opening tip until the final buzzer. CJ plays hard every possession, puts his teammates first, delivers excellent court vision, makes winning passes, makes shots, attacks the basket with confidence, and brings positive energy every time he steps on the floor. He understands that winning takes much more than scoring, and he embraces doing all the little things that help his team win.

Heading into next season, expect an even more complete version of "The Silent Assassin." He plans to be the hardest-working player on the floor every night while continuing to score however the defense allows. Whether it comes from deep, off the bounce, in the mid-range, or attacking the rim, CJ wants to keep expanding his game while creating easy opportunities for everyone around him. His biggest goal is leading La Cueva to a state championship by setting the example with both his play and his leadership every single day.

I assess that CJ is an electric all-around guard whose combination of shooting, court vision, basketball IQ, toughness, and growing three-level scoring ability makes him a difficult player to defend. His willingness to compete on both ends of the floor and impact the game in multiple ways gives him tremendous value, while his relentless work ethic continues to raise the ceiling of his game.

"The Silent Assassin" continues to prove he is much more than just a shooter. As he continues adding strength, improving his handles, and expanding his offensive attack, expect CJ to keep making noise throughout New Mexico and beyond. His game continues to grow, and his best basketball is still ahead of him. Stay tuned.