Nino Johnson's transfer not a done deal

Posted Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at 11:06 PM

The news that forward Nino Johnson signed with Northeast Mississippi Community College Tuesday would be a big blow to the SEMO men's basketball team -- if Johnson does indeed leave the Redhawks.

I've been told that is still to be determined because Johnson's family apparently knew nothing about his signing with the junior college and sources told me they would prefer he remain at SEMO.

From what I can piece together, one of Johnson's former AAU coaches has been trying to get Johnson to leave SEMO for weeks and finally convinced him that Northeast -- far from a powerhouse juco program -- was the right place.

SEMO coach Dickey Nutt, according to sources, is supposed to meet with Johnson and his family over the weekend at their home in Memphis, Tenn., and it shouldn't be too long before we learn for certain whether Johnson's career with the Redhawks is actually over.

Junior college letters of intent are nonbinding so Johnson still could return to SEMO.

Johnson saw limited action as a true freshman last season but was considered to be one of the program's future cornerstones and was expected to challenge for a starting spot in the 2012-13 campaign.

Comments
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Should Johnson decide to stay, will he be eligible academically?

-- Posted by whistleone on Thu, May 17, 2012, at 11:06 AM

Marty Mishow

I can't say for sure, but I haven't heard that he was in trouble academically. My guess is he would be eligible, but again I can't say 100 percent.

SEMO did pick the transfer from Florida. Maybe this was expected and they wanted to have someone in place for a couple years down the road.

-- Posted by teacher_guy11 on Fri, May 18, 2012, at 8:40 AM

I've been wondering all along if both Wilkerson and Johnson would stay. These kids can have a lot of people chirping in their ears.

-- Posted by Grussman on Fri, May 18, 2012, at 9:36 AM

If I were Wilkerson and Johnson I would crawl naked on glass to get out of Semo.

-- Posted by DaleDoback on Sat, May 19, 2012, at 7:12 PM

But you don't leave a program on somewhat of a rise to downgrade schools. Makes no sense to downgrade yourself

-- Posted by exzalmanian on Tue, May 22, 2012, at 11:32 PM

If Nino does transfer, Nutt better have a plan in place...a trump card to use...or something like that. Because if not, we could be in for a pretty long season.

And, with a new A.D. in place, with 2 years left on Nutt's contract, a 10 or 12-win season won't help make a case for an extension.

Maybe Mr. Alnutt will crack down on all coaches....who knows. But coming from a program where it's WIN or find a new job....who knows what kind of philosophy he'll have at SEMO.

But I do think this is a very crucial year coming up for Coach Nutt, the 4th year of his contract....anything less than a .500 season at MINIMUM and he might be job searching real soon.

-- Posted by redhawks07 on Mon, May 28, 2012, at 12:45 PM

Marty Mishow

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