Illawarra Hawks Next Star AJ Johnson is working hard ahead of arriving in Australia, with Draft Express’ Jonathan Givony releasing a video of the guard training in Santa Barbara.

Johnson was announced as the Hawks’ newest Next Star on April 14, and he has earned comparisons to former Next Stars and current NBA players Josh Giddey and LaMelo Ball due to his ability to control the game as a tall point guard.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This Hawk can fly ?<a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@illawarrahawks</a> Next Star <a href="https://twitter.com/aj_johnson04?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aj_johnson04</a> is putting in the work ahead of NBL24 ?<br><br>?: <a href="https://twitter.com/DraftExpress?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DraftExpress</a> <a href="https://t.co/vvOQEbm4fF">pic.twitter.com/vvOQEbm4fF</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1661547751648399360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He de-committed from NCAA Division One side Texas University in order to commit to the Hawks, and has followed a growing trend of high-level prospects forgoing the college recruitment route.

 The 18-year-old is currently projected to be selected with the 13^th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, while Perth Next Star Alexandre Sarr is estimated to picked just four spots behind him.

Johnson’s first appearance for the Illawarra Hawks is set to come against local rivals Sydney in the opening round of the NBL24 season on Saturday, September 30.