Valparaiso men’s basketball head coach Homer Drew announced today that Cory Johnson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East) will join the Crusader program after spending his first two seasons at Iowa State. Johnson, a 6’7”, 230 lb. forward, must sit out the 2008-09 season under NCAA transfer guidelines, and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining beginning with the 2009-10 campaign.

Johnson appeared in 55 games over his two years with the Cyclones, starting on six occasions while averaging 3.5 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. He connected on a team-best 53.2% of his field goal attempts as a freshman, and improved to a 65.1% shooter in his sophomore campaign.

Coming out of high school, Johnson was ranked the #75 player in the nation by Hoop Scoop in the class of 2006. A two-time First Team All-State honoree, he helped guide Duluth East to a state runner-up finish as a senior. One of the most prolific scorers in Minnesota state basketball history, Johnson finished his high school career with 2,930 points, fourth all-time in Minnesota prep boys history.