CLEVELAND, Ohio – Deante "Spider" Johnson (Detroit, Mich/Detroit Edison Public School Academy), one of the most athletic and versatile players in the State of Michigan, has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Cleveland State and play basketball beginning in the fall of 2018.
"We are very excited to have Deante join our basketball family," CSU head coach Dennis Felton said. "He is an excellent fit for our style of play with his special athleticism and versatility at both ends of the court."
"Deante has terrific hands and great touch. He has a great ability to pass the basketball, plays above the rim and will add to our defense with his athletic ability to defend every position and block shots at the rim. Deante comes from a great high school program under coach Bo Neely and played in the state semifinals last year.
"Leaning on the leadership of our returning players, Deante should make a great impact on our program next year and be an important part of the resurgence of Viking basketball."
As a junior at Detroit Edison Public School Academy last year, the 6-foot-9 Johnson was named to the Class C all-state team and was selected as the Class C Defensive Player of the Year in Michigan.
He led the school to its first regional championship and appearance in the state semifinals, posting 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists in the state semifinal contest.
One of the top defensive players in the State of Michigan with a 7-foot wingspan, Johnson averaged 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots, while shooting 68-percent from the field last year.
Johnson is ranked among the top 15 players in Michigan's Class of 2018 by BankHoops and joins fellow Detroit native Rashad Williams (Wayne Memorial HS) as early signees for the Vikings.
The Vikings open the home slate of the 2017-18 season on Friday (Nov. 17) when CSU hosts Coppin State at 7:00 pm in the Wolstein Center.
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