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Career Notes: This will be Johnson’s rookie season, after the North Carolina forward was selected No. 25 overall in the first round by the Clippers in the 2016 NBA Draft. Johnson averaged 11.6 points and seven rebounds per game during his four years at North Carolina, including 17 points and 10.4 rebounds per game as a senior.

Clippers Select UNC’s Brice Johnson At No. 25

LOS ANGELES – It could’ve been enticing for the Clippers to grab one of the projected lottery picks who started falling late in the first round.

But the guy they wanted all along was still right there, and head coach Doc Rivers said the Clippers stayed true to their board selecting North Carolina power forward Brice Johnson with the No. 25 overall pick in the first round.  

“We had a ranking, and we pretty much stuck to it, to be honest,” Rivers said. “Brice was the guy.”

Johnson didn’t know that was the case throughout the draft process, but he said the nerves he felt all night as cameras panned toward his section at Barclay’s Center while he still sat wondering where he’d end up turned to pure excitement when he heard his name called.

“I really fit in well with this team, with the style of play and the way I played in college,” Johnson said. “I really think I can come in there and be very effective.”

Rivers said the Clippers had a couple guys they were particularly interested in as the 25th pick drew closer. When one of the two players they liked was selected shortly before they were on the clock, the Clippers knew the Tar Heel forward would be the choice.

“He does a lot,” Rivers said. “He’s athletic, he can rebound, he runs the floor, has got a great motor and he can shoot the ball.”

Johnson shot a career-high 78.3 percent from the line last season and has a nice stroke from around 15 feet and in. Rivers said he believes Johnson will eventually be able to stretch his shot out to the 3-point line.

But the real draw in Johnson is his ability to dominate inside offensively. Johnson improved in basically every area from his freshman to senior year with the Tar Heels, averaging 17 points and 10.4 rebounds per game last season.

Johnson can rise up and throw down, and despite not having the greatest length at his position, his athleticism and size at 6-10 allows him to thrive around the basket. He’s also tenacious on the glass, becoming just the fifth Tar Heel in the last 39 seasons to average a double-double for a season while setting a North Carolina single-season record with 416 rebounds.

“The one thing that has translated well statistically has been rebounds, and he’s rebounded well,” Rivers said. “So even though he’s slight, he’s always been a great rebounder. If you can rebound in college, usually you can rebound in the NBA.”

Johnson also recorded 1.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game last year, though he may need to add bulk to hold up down low against the size of NBA bigs. But even if he needs time to develop and the Clippers like his upside in the future, Rivers said he also believes Johnson has “a chance to help right away.”

Rivers said position need didn’t have anything to do with the choice. Despite other talented bigs such as Skal Labissiere and Deyonta Davis falling, the Clippers felt Johnson was the best player available, and they made him the first-round selection.

“I’m really thankful for it,” Johnson said.