Southeast Missouri State men's basketball player Nino Johnson signs with JUCO, still could return

The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team could be losing a key player who was regarded as one of the program's future cornerstones.

Nino Johnson, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward who saw limited action as a true freshman last season, signed with Northeast Mississippi Community College during a ceremony Tuesday on the Northeast campus in Booneville, Miss.

But sources told the Southeast Missourian that Johnson's family knew nothing about his signing with the junior college and that they would prefer he remain at Southeast.

Sources said Southeast coach Dickey Nutt will meet with Johnson and his family this weekend at their home in Memphis, Tenn.

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

Johnson averaged 2.2 points and 1.9 rebounds per game for Southeast during the 2011-12 season. He played in 26 of the Redhawks' 31 games, all off the bench, and averaged 7.8 minutes per contest.

Johnson blocked eight shots, tied for third-most on the team. His 58.8 field-goal percentage was second on the squad.

Johnson was expected to challenge for a starting spot at Southeast in the 2012-13 season.

Johnson at one time was ranked the nation's No. 17 high school power forward by ESPN's college basketball recruiting website, which also rated him a four-star recruit on a five-star scale.

If Johnson does follow through and attend the junior college, he will have one season to play for the team coming off a 14-8 campaign. He will be eligible immediately. He would have to sit out a year if he transferred to another NCAA Division I program.