Kylie Johnson Kylie Johnson 5'8" | SF/CG Conway | 2028 State AR was the first Conway freshman starter since Chloe Clardy in 2019. Once Johnson jumped into that role, it was clear that she would be in the top 10 of this class, especially after being a Conway team that was considered a top 25 team in the nation. She was also one of the highest risers in this class, moving from #9 to #4.

Johnson has shown that she can hit the outside shot, especially in the corners. However, Johnson is at her best when attacking the basket. With her frame and strength, few opponents can slow her down. If someone successfully cuts her off, then she can turn around and hit a jumper over the top of them. 

Offense sometimes comes easily for freshmen, unlike defense and rebounding. That is not the same for Johnson, though, as she made high-IQ plays on both sides of the ball throughout the year. She is a fantastic rebounder, using her athleticism to outleap the opposition when cleaning the glass. Johnson can also block some shots and steal passes.

Kylie Johnson Kylie Johnson 5'8" | SF/CG Conway | 2028 State AR already has a Division I offer from Southeast Missouri State, but she will get many more before her career is over.

It was the young stars who dominated Friday’s contest, with Weston running the offense, and Kylie Johnson Kylie Johnson 5'8" | SF/CG Conway | 2028 State AR being the primary benefactor of the sophomore’s assists.

Johnson had 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals against Central. Most of her scoring came on the fastbreak, where she continuously leaked out in transition. It did not fail, Johnson was scoring easy baskets at will, making her an easy target for assists.

Kylie Johnson Kylie Johnson 5'8" | SF/CG Conway | 2028 State AR took advantage of Central’s late transition defensive reaction. The remaining teams on their regular season schedule and the future playoff opponents need to realize just how deadly this freshman can be when you do not account for her play in transition.

Kylie Johnson Kylie Johnson 5'8" | SF/CG Conway | 2028 State AR pushed Conway ahead initially after starting the game on an individual 4-0 run. Her play in the first half was tremendous, helping the Wampus Cats hold on to their early lead.

Johnson posted 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals, and I was most impressed by her rebounding. With 4 boards coming on the offensive end, Johnson was extremely aggressive on the glass, making sure every board she saw was hers and only hers.

The freshman showed some scoring versatility, hitting more than just layups. She could not find the mark from 3, but she hit a catch-and-shoot jumper just inside the arch. Johnson also hit a tough fall-away floater through traffic with her off-hand.

Kylie Johnson Kylie Johnson 5'8" | SF/CG Conway | 2028 State AR has superstar potential, and the 6A central should be afraid of how she develops.

Kylie Johnson Kylie Johnson 5'8" | SF/CG Conway | 2028 State AR really came alive for the Lady Wampus Cats towards the end of 2024. She has shown she can play multiple positions on the floor, and she will be a key player for Conway over the course of the season.

Johnson drives hard to the basket whenever she has the chance. She uses her strength and athleticism to barrel her way inside, absorbing contact and going up against the defense. Johnson will also show off her perimeter skills during the game. She will pull back and display her offensive skillset by getting to her spots on the floor and knocking down a perimeter look. Johnson’s inside-out offensive game was on display during her 17-point performance against Lone Star High School from Texas during the Sandra Meadows Classic. That same day, Johnson put up 9 points in Conway’s second win of the day over Huntington out of Louisiana.

On defense, Johnson applies difficult on-ball pressure. She is a part of Conway’s full-court press, using her length to jump up and tip passes, leading to steals. She can also take advantage of poor ball-handling by the other team, picking their pocket and taking it the other way.

Kylie Johnson Kylie Johnson 5'8" | SF/CG Conway | 2028 State AR is a star currently, but she is a future superstar for the #17 team in the country.

When I saw Kylie Johnson Kylie Johnson 5'8" | SF/CG Conway | 2028 State AR play for the first time at the MWC Lady Cat Invitational in November, I realized that Kylie Johnson Kylie Johnson 5'8" | SF/CG Conway | 2028 State AR was going to be the future of this Lady Wampus Cat team. At that time, Johnson’s role was somewhat limited, but now, they are letting her create her own offense.

Johnson is a positionless player. She can play like a guard or a small forward, but she can also play in the post, where she rebounds and defends well. Regardless of her position, it is clear that her offense is becoming unguardable.

She can take her defender off the dribble and has the option of scoring in the paint or pulling back and nailing a jumper. Lefties seem to be harder to defend, and Johnson is evidence of that. She shoots well of the bounce and her veteran teammates are always looking for her to get open. Like I just mentioned, Johnson can drive to the basket, and she has raw power that allows her to push defenders around in the post.

Yeah… Kylie Johnson Kylie Johnson 5'8" | SF/CG Conway | 2028 State AR will definitely not be #9 for much longer. I have already had some comments about her current position, so it is clear that the populous knows better. Add in her North Texas and Southeast Missouri State offers, as well as the fact that she is the first Conway freshman to start since 2019, it is obvious she should be ranked higher.