After signing with Louisville last November during the early signing period, California power forward Amir Johnson completed a phenomenal senior season that concluded with a trip to the McDonald's All-American game this spring.

Now, the California Player of the Year will take his game to the NBA instead of Louisville after being drafted in the second round by the Pistons and signing with a professional agency Tuesday night.

The Pistons used the No. 56 pick in the draft, just four from the final pick, to draft Johnson. Because the 6-foot-9 big man was drafted outside of the first round, his first NBA contract will not be guaranteed. In many cases, young players drafted in the second round are sent to NBDL franchises for seasoning before moving into an NBA line-up.

Johnson, who had struggled to achieve academic elgibility through the NCAA Clearinghouse this spring, kept his name in the draft past last Tuesday's deadline, but hadn't yet hired an agent. Without an agent, Johnson would have still had a chance to matriculate to Louisville, but, according to ESPN's Andy Katz, that possibility no longer remains.

Katz confirmed Johnson had signed with the SFX agency, effectively ending his collegiate eligibility.

Johnson was the last of nine high school stars who were drafted Tuesday night, although only three high schoolers were taken in the first round. Martell Webster, the first high school star taken, was drafted No. 6 by the Portland Trail Blazers while Andrew Bynum was drafted No. 10 by the Los Angeles Lakers. Gerald Green, considered by many as the No. 1 high school player in the nation, slipped to the No. 18 pick to the Boston Celtics.

For Louisvile Coach Rick Pitino, the loss of Johnson continues a frustrating trend of recruits choosing the NBA over college. Last year, U of L lost Sebastian Telfair and Donta Smith to the draft.

Louisville's 2005 recruiting class, considered to be one of the top five in the country, still includes point guard Andre McGee from Moreno Valley, Calif., shooting guard Bryan Harvey from Compton, Calif., swingman Terrence Williams from Seattle, Wash., small forward Chad Millard from New Hampshire and power forward Jonathon Huffman from Birmingham, Ala. Center Clay Holloway from Chicago, Ill. had previously dropped out of the recruiting class and will attend prep school in 2006 before choosing a college destination.