ATHENS — Desperate for some good news, Georgia men’s basketball finally got some on Monday.
After dropping their first three SEC games, the Bulldogs (7-3, 0-3 SEC) were informed Monday that freshman K.D. Johnson has been cleared to play. The top signee in Georgia’s 2020 recruiting class had been held out for unspecified academic reasons since joining the team.
Johnson released the news on his social media platforms.
On his Instagram account, Johnson was more specific, stating “first day out” and “I’m back.”
Georgia has yet to confirm the news. He has been practicing with the team.
Coach Tom Crean finally confirmed the news late Monday evening. The Bulldogs play host to Auburn on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
“We’re extremely excited to have K.D. eligible,” Crean said in a statement released by UGA. “Probably the only people more excited than me are K.D. and his mother, Jada. K.D. has been with us every day in workouts and practices since last summer and has been incredibly patient and mature throughout this process. I would like to thank NCAA for their efforts as we worked to reach this resolution.”
It remains to be seen how he might be able to make an immediate impact, but Johnson was considered an impact recruit when he signed with the Bulldogs out of Virginia’s Hargrave Military Academy. The 6-foot-1 guard was a 4-star prospect and averaged 26.2 points, 7.4 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game as the Tigers compiled a 37-4 record and reached the Final Four of the National Prep School Tournament. Before that, Johnson starred at Atlanta’s Southwest DeKalb High, scoring 1,302 points (15.5 ppg) and shooting 47.1% from the field over three seasons.
One area the Bulldogs need immediate help is outside shooting. Georgia is in the bottom third of SEC with a 3-point percentage of 30%.
Crean talked about Johnson’s skillset when the team began preseason workouts in November.
“He’s doing a really good job of trying to improve and every area that he can,” Crean said. “I think it’s one of the reasons that he went to Hargrave Military Academy. I liked the discipline of that program. I’ve had success in the past with guys that have come out of there. I feel good about him and again he’s another Georgia young man, from a Georgia family that wanted to be here, that helps represent this program I think the right way.”
Johnson also made a point to thank the NCAA, “for granting me immediate eligibility and allowing me to play basketball this season.”
“I will not comment on the waiver, but look forward to a great rest of the season with my teammates,” he said.
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