Dayton, Memphis and Virginia Tech among programs to watch in potential landing spot for former ASU guard Anthony “Pig” Johnson

Anthony “Pig” Johnson, a former Arizona State guard, is generating recruiting interest from several notable Division I programs as teams evaluate his fit heading into the next phase of his career. A recruiting preview from Busting Brackets lists Dayton, Memphis and Virginia Tech among the programs keeping a close eye on Johnson’s availability, underscoring how quickly a productive guard can draw multi-school attention once he is on the market.

Johnson’s route to Division I basketball has been unusual. Before arriving at Arizona State, he played at both JUCO and NAIA levels, a path that often requires players to show steady improvement and adaptability rather than arriving with a conventional four-year recruiting résumé.

At Arizona State, Johnson carved out an impact role off the bench. According to the recruiting report, he averaged 13.2 points per game in 25 minutes per contest, while shooting 45% from the field. That combination, scoring efficiency and manageable playing time, is the kind of profile that coaches typically value when searching for an energetic guard who can contribute without needing a full workload.

The report frames Johnson as a 6-foot-3 guard, a size that usually translates to guard play defined by ball handling, shot creation from the perimeter and spacing responsibilities. At that height, teams often look for players who can keep possessions moving while also giving the offense a reliable scoring option during second-unit minutes.

Programs mentioned in the preview, including Dayton, Memphis and Virginia Tech, represent three different kinds of roster-building priorities within Division I. Dayton has often leaned on pressure-and-tempo style identities, Memphis regularly evaluates guards for their ability to create and run an offense, and Virginia Tech tends to emphasize structured play and two-way balance. In that context, Johnson’s ability to score efficiently off the bench gives him a clear starting point for discussions about how he could fit a specific role.

Even with multiple programs “to watch,” there is still uncertainty around where Johnson’s recruitment will ultimately land. Reports like this typically reflect current interest and scouting focus rather than a completed commitment, and the next update to watch would be whether any program separates itself in a more concrete way, such as a clear timeline for a decision or additional public confirmation of his status.

For fans and staff at the schools involved, the practical question becomes how Johnson would be used. His Division I production at Arizona State suggests he can score quickly, but his next team will still need to integrate him into a larger rotation, determine matchup-based minutes, and decide whether he is best deployed as a pure scoring guard, a ball-handler who initiates offense in short stretches, or a blend of both.

If Johnson’s decision narrows to one school, the ripple effects will likely extend beyond a single roster spot, influencing guard minutes for existing players and shaping the balance between perimeter offense and overall defensive assignments during nonconference play and into conference action.