Introductions are in order here . . .

It's high time that Richmond shakes hands with native son Karron Johnson.

After all, the 6-7, 220-pound man-child is among America's premier college hoops prospects, but he remains relatively unknown in his hometown.

"When I'm reading about Karron, it says he's from North Carolina. . . . Karron is a Richmonder, born and raised," says mother Karen Johnson.

HERE'S THE HITCH: Johnson resides in Jackson Ward with his mom and brother, Travis, 14, but he has attended Mount Zion Academy in Durham, N.C., since the eighth grade. He'll be a senior this fall, and is on many college's most-wanted list.

"I miss him so much when he's away," Karen said, "but Mount Zion offered him the best chance to do what he wants to do."

RECRUITING TARGET: Turning 18 in November, Johnson has scholarship offers from Memphis, Miami, Seton Hall, Southern California, Virginia, Georgetown and LSU.

"I'm probably leaning toward Memphis, but I'm still wide open," he said.

Johnson recently impressed at the NBA Players Association Top 100 Camp in Charlottesville. Ranked a 4-Star (top rating) recruit by Rivals.com, Johnson didn't back down from a collection of the top talent in the land.

Rivals reporter Jerry Meyer said this: "Johnson is a physical force. He finished with authority throughout."

SUMMER LEAGUE: Johnson wears No.9 for BYC Entertainment in the Tri-Cities Pro-Am at George Wythe. Last week, he had 22 points and 13 rebounds, scoring on fade-away jumpers, finger rolls, two-hand slams and various other power moves.

"I just let it flow," he said. "I've played against older guys all my life -- like a walk in the park. I'm playing here so my mother has a chance to see me."

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN: Johnson resides in John Marshall's district. The Travis McKie-led Justices advanced to the state tournament. This summer, Johnson is paired with McKie for BYC.

Johnson averaged 21 points as a junior on a Zion outfit that was 20-5 playing a mixed-bag travel schedule.

"A lot of our games got canceled," he said.

SQUIRE CONNECTION: Local AAU coach Tony Squire was at the center of the Johnson to Zion transfer.

"Someone phoned me and told me about a kid that needed to get away," Squire said.

Squire knows the road to Durham. In the past, he has navigated such locals as Tyrone Sally, Anthony Sally, Glen Dandridge and Shawn Taggart to the school.

Quickly, Johnson put his footprints on the national landscape.

"He was the first rising freshman to ever get picked for Howard Garfinkle's 5-Star all-star team," Squire said. "That's what got it started."

TAGGART CONNECTION: A rising junior at Memphis, Taggart was an assistant coach five years ago on the Squire U-13 team featuring Johnson.

Coincidentally, AAU nationals that summer were in Memphis.

"Shawn is like my big brother," said Johnson, who works out each morning at Virginia Union.

Johnson knows Richmond. It's time Richmond knows him.