Cameron Johnson update: Recruiting experts make their picks for Pitt graduate transfer

Cameron Johnson is beginning his visit to Kentucky today as he’s become one of, if not the most highly sought after graduate transfer this year.

When you see schools like Arizona, Oregon, UCLA and Kentucky in the running, you can see how. Johnson is an instant-impact player wherever he goes, and it’s looking like he’ll be a Wildcat soon enough.

Problem is, it won’t necessarily be the ones from Kentucky, as Arizona is a viable threat to land Johnson as well. Kyle Tucker of SEC Country gathered recruiting experts Jerry Meyer, Evan Daniels and Jeff Borzello for a roundtable discussion about who Johnson will ultimately pick.

Daniels and Meyer went with Kentucky:

JERRY MEYER (247Sports)

The pick: Kentucky

The reason: “There is potential playing time available for a player like Johnson at Kentucky and his connections to the program should be enough to lure him there.”

EVAN DANIELS (Scout.com)

The pick: Kentucky

The reason: “He doesn’t have any other visits scheduled, so the Cats seem like the logical choice.”

However, Borzello sided with Arizona:

JEFF BORZELLO (ESPN)

The pick: Arizona

The reason: “Sean Miller has a longtime relationship with Johnson’s father, and with Kobi Simmons and potentially Rawle Alkins both leaving, there are shots available on the perimeter for Johnson.”

Tucker previously reported Kentucky has a good chance of landing Johnson, and he still feels that way. I too think Kentucky is ultimately the pick, but Johnson’s connection to Sean Miller clearly has Arizona being a viable threat.

And as Borzello alluded to, Arizona could have a bigger role for Johnson if they lose Rawle Alkins to the NBA Draft in addition to Kobi Simmons, who has already signed with an agent.

Kentucky is still in the running for Kevin Knox, but it’s looking more and more like they’ll miss out on him when he decides in May. If he were to surprise everyone and pick Kentucky, that would greatly lessen Johnson’s potential role in Kentucky.

Did we mention Hamidou Diallo might leave for the NBA Draft as well? If he does so, Johnson could come in and have a major impact on next year’s team, possibly enough that he’s the leading scorer.

Waiting to see what guys like Alkins, Diallo and Knox do is probably why we shouldn’t expect Johnson to make a decision anytime soon.

Or, he could just commit to Kentucky this week and end all the suspense now. Nothing wrong with that.