Lanky Sickles forward Malcolm Johnson, a starter on the Gryphons' Class 5A state runner-up team in 2010, has committed to Navy, Coach Renaldo Garcia announced Sunday.
Upon completing the extensive application process required for service-academy recruits, he'll become Garcia's fourth Division I signee in the last five years. The others: John Henson (North Carolina), Jordan Davis (Monmouth) and Rashawn Rembert (East Tennessee State).
Johnson (6-foot-5, 180 pounds) averaged eight points and six rebounds as a junior. He had interest from some mid-major Division I programs and Division II schools but visited only the Midshipmen's campus in Annapolis, Md.
"He fell in love with it up there, actually," Garcia said.
Should he graduate from the Naval Academy, Johnson likely would be commissioned as an ensign in the Navy and must serve a minimum of five years after his commissioning.