Quinn Atazhoon said he selected Pima Community College of Tucson to continue his basketball career, more importantly his education.

"Pima Community College gave me a great opportunity, not only to help their team, but also to develop and get better to prepare myself for the higher level," Atazhoon said. Atazhoon said Pima has an excellent coaching staff that believes in every player to succeed in basketball and also in life. They have been very successful with their program."

Atazhoon said Tucson has been his home away from home.

"I went to elementary and middle school there (Tucson) as a child and always been a UA (University of Arizona Wildcats) fan. Pima feels more like going back home."

Atazhoon joins Chinle's Cooper Burbank as a Pima Community College recruit. Atazhoon and Burbank were Northern Elite club basketball teammates that was coached by Rick Destea of Saint Michaels, Arizona.

"We are very proud of Quinn (Atazhoon) and Cooper (Burbank)," Destea said. "They both have been part of our Northern Elite program since middle school."

Atazhoon is the son of Cliff Johns, who was an Arizona Wildcats walk-on player during the 1992-93 season. Johns was a member of Arizona's 17-1 Pac-10 championship team. Johns was under the watchful eye of Jim Rosborugh, an Arizona assistant coach for coaching legend Lute Olson.

Johns is a Winslow High School graduate. Johns earned his college architect degree. Johns is a project manager at Tse'hootsooi Medical Center in Fort Defiance, Arizona. Johns was a head basketball coach at Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington, New Mexico and Shiprock High School in New Mexico. Johns was an assistant coach at Gallup High School in New Mexico.

Atazhoon said he will play either guard or forward for Pima Community College head coach Brian Peabody.

"Quinn is a great shooter with size," Peabody said on the college's website. "He is 6-5 with length. Hopefully, he can fill the role of (Jake) Lieppert."

Jake Lieppert was one of Pima Community College's best players. Lieppert signed with Rice University, a NCAA Division I basketball program.

Prior to committing to Pima Community College, Atazhoon was recruited by NAIA, JuCo and NCAA DII colleges. NCAA DI colleges, including Northern Arizona University, University of New Mexico and Santa Clara University expressed interest in Atazhoon.

"The pandemic made my options more limited," Atazhoon said. "I planned to play on an AAU team and travel acround the country to play in front of high level college coaches. The pandemic became very serious and most tournaments got cancelled."

Pima Community College's program has been successful. During the 2018 season, Pima Community College captured the NJCAA DII National Tournament Runner-Up. The Aztecs garnered the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference DII championship three straight years.

"Pima Community College had many players who have transferred to NCAA DI, DII and NAIA colleges," Atazhoon said. "Every coach helps push each player to fulfill their potential on a basketball player."

Atazhoon played four years on Gallup's varsity squad. Atazhoon played his freshman and sophomore years, but it wasn't until junior year that he made a solid impact.

"During each summer, I worked extra hard and pushed myself to be the best I could," Atazhoon said.

During Atazhoon's junior year, he earned first team all-district 1AAAA and all-academic. He averaged 16 points per game.

Post season accolades poured in for Atazhoon at the conclusion of his senior year, after he averaged 22 points per outing. In addition to earning first team all-district 1AAAA, he received all-academic, first team All-State, firsr team all-region, District 1AAAA Player of the Year and Navajo Times co-Player of the Year. He is a Gatorade Player of the Year.

Atazhoon's highesr single game scoring output was 47 points against Hobbs, New Mexico Eagles. Atazhoon's 47 points was the highest single game scoring in the state this year. Atazhoon set a Gallup single game scoring record.

"My goal at Pima Community College is to develop into more of a professional type athlete and go back to the national tournament and win a championship," Atazhoon said. "My goal when I finish at Pima Community College is to transfer to a NCAA Division I college to continue my academic/basketball career. Also, continue where my dad, Cliff Johns, left off and hopefully go further as far as the NBA."