Binghamton University’s men’s basketball head coach Kevin Broadus received his first commitment from the high school class of 2009.

Taylor Johnston from West Hill Collegiate Institute in Ontario verbally committed to the Binghamton men’s basketball team two weeks ago.

Johnston, a 6-foot-6-inch, 200-pound wing guard also received interest from Nevada, Denver, Radford, Cornell, NJIT and Boston University. Cornell offered him a financial aid package.

Johnston said he chose Binghamton because of coach Broadus, assistant coach Mark Macon, the campus and the academics.

“Coach Broadus came to see me play in Toronto and liked me,” Johnston said. “I came and saw the campus. I met the team. He came up again after that and met with me and talked to my coaches.”

A major reason for his commitment was his friendship with current Bearcat sophomore guard Chretien Lukusa in high school.

“Our high schools are actually rivals, but we played on the same summer team,” Johnston said. “Chretien told me that [Broadus] is a hard coach, but that he’s a good coach who is always prepared. He loves Binghamton and said it’s been a great freshman year.”

Bearcat centers Jaan Montgomery and Theo Davis are also from Ontario, but Johnston never played against them.

Johnston averaged approximately 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks as a junior. He said his best asset on the court is his shooting ability.

“I’m a good shooter, I can handle the ball well for my size,” Johnston said. “I’m athletic, I like to get up and down the court and make some passes.”

NCAA rules prohibit coaches from commenting on recruits until they sign National Letters of Intent. Johnston plans to sign an NLI when he visits campus for Binghamton’s first home game on Nov. 14.