After building the 1995-96 Iowa State men’s basketball team with transfer students, this year’s team should be bolstered by the arrival of another transfer student, former Indian Hills Community College standout Brad Johnson.

Johnson, a 6’5″ junior from Geneseo, Illinois, has been playing in the Center Court League in Ames this summer and will join the Cyclones in the fall.

Johnson was heavily recruited by several schools, and chose ISU over Iowa and Washington State. He said the “overall atmosphere” offered by the university was the major factor in his decision.

Johnson followed the Cyclones last season and was very impressed with the coaching staff and the players. “They’re damn good players,” he said.

Johnson said he has enjoyed playing in the summer league and hanging out with his new Cyclone teammates.

While at Indian Hills, Johnson practiced with current Cyclone star Dedric Willoughby, who was attending classes at IHCC. Willoughby showed Johnson around the ISU campus on his visit. “I think I showed him a pretty good time,” Willoughby said. Two weeks later, Johnson signed with the Cyclones.

Johnson and Willoughby are teammates in the Center Court League and have been a dominant one-two punch for league-leading Munn’s Building Center. “I’ve practiced with him and I’ve always known how good he is,” Johnson said.

Willoughby said he enjoys playing with Johnson because he is a prolific scorer who is always looking for the ball. “You just have to throw the ball around the rim and he’ll go get it.”

Willoughby praised the latest addition to the Cyclone team. “We were happy to get him. He’s going to help us a lot next year.”

Johnson expects to play small forward for the Cyclones, but with his versatility, he could wind up finding time at the shooting guard and even power forward. Johnson possesses excellent jumping ability and great quickness.

Johnson has instantly become a crowd favorite at the Center Court League with his spectacular dunks and great outside shooting. Willoughby said the coaching staff had been looking at Johnson for a long time, but “it wasn’t time yet.”

Now is the time for Johnson to be an immediate impact for the Cyclones.

“I like it here. I’m excited,” he said.