Theo John holds scholarship offers from Minnesota, Marquette and Nebraska.
Theo John, a 6-foot-9 class of 2017 center from Champlin Park (MN) High, helped lead the Rebels to a 31-1 record as they finished runner-up to Apple Valley in the Class AAAA finals, losing 64-61 this spring.
John had seven points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots against in their opening state tournament win over St. Francis, 14 points, four rebounds and four blocked shots versus Shakopee in the semifinals and two points, six rebounds and six blocked shots in the title game.
John, who is considered the state’s top big man in the Class of 2017, caught up with Gopher Hole at the EYBL event in Maple Grove.
Gopher Hole: You picked up an offer from Minnesota since the last time that we have talked. What was your reaction when you got the word about that?
Theo John: I was very surprised. I had been putting in the work and it is not going to stop.
Gopher Hole: What offers are you up to right now?
Theo John: I have an offer from the “U,” Marquette and Nebraska.
Gopher Hole: It obviously shows you that the hard work is paying off. Does that make you want to work even harder to hear from even more schools?
Theo John: It motivates me. If I am putting in this amount of work, I could put in just a little more and see where I can be.
Gopher Hole: You had a terrific year this season. Unfortunately, you came up just a little bit short. You lose a lot of talented seniors. What are the expectations for next season?
Theo John: The same thing, except for a “W” at the end. Last year hurt. It motivates us every day. A lot of time, we’ll remind each other, like in a group text, that we lost or something like that and just know that you let your city down. It just motivates you. It makes you want to do that extra rep, that extra killer. Whatever it is.
Gopher Hole: Obviously, you didn’t win the championship game, but you had a great year. You have to be proud of that, though?
Theo John: We are proud. A week after the loss, we all started like “We did pretty good,” but now that the season is over, it is time to work and it wasn’t good enough.
Gopher Hole: What things have you been really working on now that the season is over to continue to improve yourself as a player?
Theo John: I am trying to get bigger physically. I am working on my foot work and agility stuff. I am just trying to be the best player I can be, mentally and physically.
Gopher Hole: You have been playing AAU basketball for a while, but now you are playing at the highest level in the EYBL. How much do you think this is helping you because you are playing against some of the top big men in the country?
Theo John: This is helping a lot playing against a dude that is as big or bigger every night. It is a lot different than high school. High School has some 6-3 bigs. This helps you get used to what college will be like.
Gopher Hole: You are playing against college caliber kids, but the refs are not calling a lot of fouls, which is probably going to get you ready for college basketball?
Theo John: Yes. You get beat up every game, but you just have to bounce back for the next game.
Gopher Hole: Have you made some plans to try to visit some colleges this summer?
Theo John: I visited Marquette two weekends ago, I believe and that is the only ones I have planned for right now, that I know of. I might go visit UCLA when I go down there for the Pangos All-American Camp (this past weekend). We’ll see how that works out.
Gopher Hole: That has to make you pretty proud that you are getting those types of honors?
Theo John: Yes.
Gopher Hole: How did they find out about you?
Theo John: They had seen me play. Findlay Prep told them about me a little bit and after the last two EYBL sessions, they asked me to come down.