Deserving of its own thread. Welcome to Marquette!
Can we find a transfer that is better?
https://www.zagsblog.com/2025/05/07/four-star-26-shooting-guard-ethan-johnston-commits-to-marquette/
Welcome 2 Warrior Nation!
Welcome Again Ethan!!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJW7iAPglll/?igsh=MTJ0eGl6Y2Iycnpldg==
Welcome to our world
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Welcome Ethan! I don't have a strong opinion on his game yet, but the coaches apparently have had him as a priority for quite some time.
Looking forward to seeing Ethan in gold and blue!
Here's hoping he has a great senior season in high school, filled with fun, growth and development as both a basketball player and person.
And congrats to Shaka on what looks like another recruiting win.
6'6 big time athlete? Yeah, he's a fit.
Has a mid range game and a jump shot, does he fit? Seriously, very athletic, nice size.
Johnston is quite the hall.
Reeko loves a long Johnston
Quote from: tower912 on May 07, 2025, 12:30:22 PMJohnston is quite the hall.
This joke is of medium quality.
Quote from: Jay Bee on May 07, 2025, 12:33:40 PMReeko loves a long Johnston
I'm flattered, but not interested in your advances. Questioning someone's sexuality or attempting to mock their sexuality is a very Christian thing to do, however.
Can we pretend that Johnston is a portal transfer to keep the usual suspects happy?
Welcome, Ethan. Looking forward to your growth and development.
Quote from: tower912 on May 07, 2025, 02:54:53 PMWelcome, Ethan. Looking forward to your growth and development.
Ditto
Quote from: MuMark on May 07, 2025, 11:26:44 AMhttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DJW7iAPglll/?igsh=MTJ0eGl6Y2Iycnpldg==
I hope he has learned how to dribble since they filmed the beginning of that video.
Good stuff. Seems like a nice get to start out the 2026 class!
I see Nigel welcomed him via instagram as well. Couldn't quite infer if he was alluding to the fact that they know each other or played together.
Looks like the kid has some swagger. I like it!
Quote from: Markusquette on May 07, 2025, 04:44:43 PMGood stuff. Seems like a nice get to start out the 2026 class!
I see Nigel welcomed him via instagram as well. Couldn't quite infer if he was alluding to the fact that they know each other or played together.
Ben Steele said his trainer, Jerry Powell, also works with Nigel. So I would assume there is some level of familiarity there.
KABOOM!!!! Outstanding news!! Welcome Ethan to prime time hoops!!
Seems like a great get. Good way to start off the 2026 class.
Another big guard who can create for others.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on May 07, 2025, 04:57:50 PMBen Steele said his trainer, Jerry Powell, also works with Nigel. So I would assume there is some level of familiarity there.
I've also seen references to both players playing in the New Heights youth program as younger players.
Love the athleticism. Can never have enough of it.
I love this pickup. Feels he's just beginning to scratch the surface of his talent.
Quote from: JakeBarnes on May 08, 2025, 04:48:36 PMI love this pickup. Feels he's just beginning to scratch the surface of his talent.
Agreed. Shaka got in early on a switchable with a lot of upside.
When EJ arrives, Chase will have graduated. Wings will be Zaide, Damarius, Phillips, Miletic, Stevens, and EJ. I hope at least one of them grows and fills out enough to give Parham a rest.
Quote from: tower912 on May 09, 2025, 09:18:31 AMWhen EJ arrives, Chase will have graduated. Wings will be Zaide, Damarius, Phillips, Miletic, Stevens, and EJ. I hope at least one of them grows and fills out enough to give Parham a rest.
With 15 scholarship players, I'd expect about 9 for the 3 perimeter spots (3/5). Add Norman, James, and SJ to your list, and I believe MU is at 9. Egbuono looks like he could swing between the 3 and 4.
Must be fake news. He is not on the Scholarship table.
But what's his necksize?
Hoping he is not a future St. Josephs player :-\
If he is, I hope he enjoys his return home and thrives.
https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/marquette/2025/05/12/ethan-johnston-will-be-a-versatile-player-for-marquette-coach-shaka-smart-in-2026-recruiting-class/83533187007/
Hit the portal to recruit over this guy. ::)
To any fans or family members of EJ, that is sarcasm. I am really excited he is coming to MU and am looking forward to watching him grow and develop.
https://www.zagsblog.com/2025/07/25/marquette-commit-ethan-johnston-breaks-down-peach-jam-run-commitment/
Quote from: MuMark on July 25, 2025, 12:09:27 PMhttps://www.zagsblog.com/2025/07/25/marquette-commit-ethan-johnston-breaks-down-peach-jam-run-commitment/
Thanks for the link. Includes this quote from Ethan:
"Nobody's transferred. I think it's a family culture there, so there's no need for anyone to transfer because it's such a special place."
Shaka recruiting strategy......identify players......do research on player and family to see if values align........then kill them with kindness until they finally can't take it anymore.......
The moment Johnston knew it was Marquette is when Smart called him after a game during Session 1 in April.
"He called me immediately after, and he just expressed how much he appreciated me and stuff," Johnston said. "He called my dad, told him how much he appreciated him and my family. And you don't see that much support from a coach. It was unique for me to experience and I was just like, 'I can't mess this up. This is the best place for me.'"
Pretty much all successful coaches relentlessly pursue the recruits they want - "kill them with kindness," as you say.
So it's more than simply volume and frequency.
Shaka seems to just have a way to make recruits and their families feel like they will be special parts of the Marquette family.
Quote from: MU82 on July 25, 2025, 10:05:45 PMPretty much all successful coaches relentlessly pursue the recruits they want - "kill them with kindness," as you say.
So it's more than simply volume and frequency.
Shaka seems to just have a way to make recruits and their families feel like they will be special parts of the Marquette family.
And that's where the program's retention comes into play.
If you have coaches promoting culture and a family atmosphere but one is retaining their guys while the others are revolving doors that says something.
Of course part of the is identifying the players and families that truly value that.
Shaka explains it in the sportscenter interview. Fans of the portal will be sad.
Quote from: tower912 on July 26, 2025, 11:46:49 AMShaka explains it in the sportscenter interview. Fans of the portal will be sad.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face"
Quote from: jfp61 on July 26, 2025, 12:18:02 PM"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face"
I am not following - is the portal going to punch Shaka in the face?
Quote from: PointWarrior on July 26, 2025, 09:43:38 PMI am not following - is the portal going to punch Shaka in the face?
No.....apparently Mike Tyson is.....for some reason.
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