Noel Johnson to visit UNLV this weekend

Guard Noel Johnson (6-7, 180) of Fayette County (Ga.) High School, rated the No. 56 prospect in the Class of 2009 by Scout.com, has scheduled a recruiting trip to UNLV this weekend.

Johnson originally signed with USC but was recently granted his release from a letter of intent by the Trojans as the school braces for the fallout from accusations that head coach Tim Floyd gave cash to former star guard O.J. Mayo through one of his handlers.

“Any time you have a kid that is starting his freshman year, you want him to go into a calmer setting rather than having a cloud over (his) head,” Noel’s father, Lynbert “Cheese” Johnson, recently told Scout.com. “(USC) was his No. 1 choice because he liked the school, coach Floyd and (assistant) coach (Bob) Cantu. But the fact remains that you can’t move that cloud.”

Johnson, rated the No. 13 shooting guard by Scout.com, is also considering LSU, Georgia Tech, UNC-Charlotte and Wichita State, where his father starred in college. “Cheese” Johnson and Rebel assistant Lew Hill, also a Wichita State alum, are longtime friends.

Noel Johnson, regarded as one of the top 3-point shooters in the Class of 2009, would be eligible to compete this fall at whatever school he enrolls at. He is expected to make his decision by the end of the month.