With a 2019 USA Prep national championship and countless 20+ point and 6+ assists performances under Blake Kingsley (including a 35-point game as a sophomore against Silver Oak Academy and a 43-point game against St. Augustine as a freshman) , Johannes Kirsipuu enters his junior season at Scotland Campus with a wealth of experience.
Battle-tested and having played since the program's inaugural season, the junior from Estonia is primed for a breakout year. Already garnering interest from a variety of Division-I programs, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound guard gives the Knights' high school team a psychological edge with his reliable knockdown shooting and ability to orchestrate offense and whiz fireball assists.
Kirsippu's passing arsenal and on-ball defensive acumen are factors of his game that have mirrored his development this past season.
Having played for the U16 Estonian national team two summers ago and understanding the intricacies of how to lead with or without the ball in his hands, Kirsipuu inherits some ownership of new high school coach Dave Gobrogge's team this season.
With the Class of 2021 prospect's ability to buy into the system and relish the workload on a day to day basis, both coach and player want it that way. With Gobrogge preaching hard and in-your-chest defense and pressure all across the court, Kirsipuu has paid special devotion to that component of his game.
As a knockdown shooter, Kirsipuu has worked to expand his entire offensive supply, which now contains enough all around weaponry for him to emerge into a true flamethrower this season.
With the high school team increasing its frontline and adding new bigs, Kirsipuu will have the freedom to operate the high low game. With his mental maturation process and increased physicality, the expectation level is as high as its ever been for the kid who plays like an American.
He quickly adapted to the souped-up, rough and tumble style of basketball played at the prep and post grad level.
There hasn't been many setbacks in Kirsipuu's transition to the states. He learned the English language prior to his first ever time on U.S. soil in the fall of 2017. He ultimately developed a better grasp of it while taking a chock full of courses at Scotland Campus.
He's acclimatized to being self-reliant. He's learned the time management concepts which will matter most in college, as he currently has a 3.4 GPA.
Kirsipuu On His Role This Season
I am trying to play better than I have the last two years. I've had so many games and situations where I learned so many things, I think I can play smarter and more aggressively. I think I can play better defense, and I can control the game more. I think I bring more confidence and more playmaking.
On His Influences On The Court
With the level of guys we have here at Scotland, there is always people who can push you to get better. Every player who is better than me, I learn from him. There a lot of players who gave me advice on different aspects. Of course, I watch a lot of NBA guards, especially Luka Doncic. He is definitely one of my favorite players to watch.
On Where He Sees Himself In Five Years
Right now, it is step by step. Of course, my goal is be a high impact college player. Of course, eventually I would like to play professionally. Right now, though, I'm focused on this upcoming season and that's where my mind is. I know if I can continue to work and get better, all the future aspirations will take care of themselves.