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With one scribble of a pen, the college basketball dreams for North Central Senior Terone Johnson had come into fruition.
"It feels really good," said Johnson, who averaged 19.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists as a junior. "I've been waiting to go there since I've committed verbally, but now that it's official, I'm very proud of myself."
"It just brings on another four seasons again."
Johnson signed the dotted line at North Central, the very same high school in which he led to a 23-2 overall record this past basketball season. But most importantly to him, Johnson had his close family in attendance to witness the event.
His relationship with his family, Terone has a younger brother named Ronnie that also plays for North Central, along with the short drive to Lafayette from his hometown of Indianapolis, is one of the main of reasons as to why he'll be a Boilermaker next season.
"It's close to home," said Johnson as to why he chose Purdue over any other school. "My friends and family will get to see me play. Also the relationship in which I have with Coach Painter and the coaching staff is what brought me to Purdue."
The Indiana Junior All-Star was one of four recruits signed on Wednesday afternoon, a class that is ranked as high as 20th by ESPN.com. Johnson was joined by Danville's Travis Carroll, New Albany's Donnie Hale, and Chicago prep star Anthony Johnson from Whitney Young High School.
Johnson, who is known for his aggressive style of play both as a point guard and off the wing as a small forward, won't be coming to Purdue as just a scorer. He has been working on his all-around game all season long, and believes the hard work will pay dividends once he wears the gold and black jersey.
"I've improved a lot on my defense," said Johnson when asked what part of his game had improved most on during the off-season. "I'm going to have to play a lot of good defense to succeed at Purdue. So I believe that's something I've gotten better at."
Check Out An In-Depth Look At Purdue's 2010 Recruiting Class
"Terone is such a class act," said Mitchell. "He's such a great character. He's all the things you want a person to be. He's honest, he's hard working, he's fortright, and on the floor, you basically get the same thing. I think that's why him and Coach Painter were such a match, because they represent that hard work, overachieving, and they're both pretty competitive people. So I think Purdue's got a good one, and I think they're really going to enjoy watching him play once he gets there."
Of course Johnson has a full plate on his hands before he must worry about before joining the Boilermakers on the hard court. He has a full senior year of IHSAA basketball ahead of him, in which he has high goals set for himself and his Panthers.
"Team goals, I'd love to win state," said Johnson. "We're going to have to work hard to get there. With that I believe will come Mr. Basketball."
Johnson and the Panthers begin their high school basketball season when they travel to Noblesville High School on November 19th.
"It feels really good," said Johnson, who averaged 19.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists as a junior. "I've been waiting to go there since I've committed verbally, but now that it's official, I'm very proud of myself."
"It just brings on another four seasons again."
Johnson signed the dotted line at North Central, the very same high school in which he led to a 23-2 overall record this past basketball season. But most importantly to him, Johnson had his close family in attendance to witness the event.
His relationship with his family, Terone has a younger brother named Ronnie that also plays for North Central, along with the short drive to Lafayette from his hometown of Indianapolis, is one of the main of reasons as to why he'll be a Boilermaker next season.
"It's close to home," said Johnson as to why he chose Purdue over any other school. "My friends and family will get to see me play. Also the relationship in which I have with Coach Painter and the coaching staff is what brought me to Purdue."
The Indiana Junior All-Star was one of four recruits signed on Wednesday afternoon, a class that is ranked as high as 20th by ESPN.com. Johnson was joined by Danville's Travis Carroll, New Albany's Donnie Hale, and Chicago prep star Anthony Johnson from Whitney Young High School.
Johnson, who is known for his aggressive style of play both as a point guard and off the wing as a small forward, won't be coming to Purdue as just a scorer. He has been working on his all-around game all season long, and believes the hard work will pay dividends once he wears the gold and black jersey.
"I've improved a lot on my defense," said Johnson when asked what part of his game had improved most on during the off-season. "I'm going to have to play a lot of good defense to succeed at Purdue. So I believe that's something I've gotten better at."
Check Out An In-Depth Look At Purdue's 2010 Recruiting Class
"Terone is such a class act," said Mitchell. "He's such a great character. He's all the things you want a person to be. He's honest, he's hard working, he's fortright, and on the floor, you basically get the same thing. I think that's why him and Coach Painter were such a match, because they represent that hard work, overachieving, and they're both pretty competitive people. So I think Purdue's got a good one, and I think they're really going to enjoy watching him play once he gets there."
Of course Johnson has a full plate on his hands before he must worry about before joining the Boilermakers on the hard court. He has a full senior year of IHSAA basketball ahead of him, in which he has high goals set for himself and his Panthers.
"Team goals, I'd love to win state," said Johnson. "We're going to have to work hard to get there. With that I believe will come Mr. Basketball."
Johnson and the Panthers begin their high school basketball season when they travel to Noblesville High School on November 19th.
