Freshman, SF, Arizona
6’6.5”, 241.8 LBS
7.5 % Body Fat
6’11.5” Wing Span
8’6” Standing Reach
College Stats In 2014-15: 38 games, 28.4 MPG, 13.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, 44.6 FG%, 37.1 3P%, 74.2 FT%
Where He’ll Go:
Most draft experts to go him in the lottery, but probably outside of the top-5.
Best Game In 2014-15:
In the first round (well, technically “second round”) of the NCAA Tournament, Johnson played well on the national stage. Arizona beat Texas Southern 93-72 behind 22 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block from Johnson. Johnson was extremely efficient, shooting 8-of-11 from the field, 4-of-5 from the three-point line and 2-2 from the free-throw line. His 72.7 percentage from the field was his best shooting percentage since shooting 80 percent against Michigan on Dec. 13.
Scouting Report:
The potential for Johnson is through the roof being he has yet to turn 19 years old. He got a bit emotional at the NBA Draft Combine when someone asked him about maturing during his freshman season.
“Arizona (was) probably the best year of my life,” Johnson said. “I learned a lot from Arizona… The teammates are truly my brothers now… I think it taught me everything about myself. I can really police myself (now).”
The first thing you notice about Johnson is that he has the body of an NBA player. He should be able to handle the daily grind of the NBA. Despite the NBA body, he struggles at the basket. Often times he tries to go through defenders. Sometimes it works, but in the NBA, it definitely won’t work unless a much smaller player is guarding him.
Judging by his percentages in college, it looks like he’ll develop into a three-point shooter at the next level, which is certainly a plus in today’s NBA.
Defensively, he’ll almost immediately be able to guard both guard spots and the small forward position. Depending on whether or not the opposing team goes small, he might even be able to guard a power forward with his strength. Like most young players, he takes plays off, but that’s something the coaches at the next level will make sure doesn’t happen. If it does, he’ll find himself on the bench.
Overall
Given his age, it’s easy to think that he’ll be a project in the NBA. But with his body, he’ll at the very least be able to defend in the NBA. That’s the worst-case scenario. The best-case is that he develops into a 40 percent three-point shooter who improves getting to the basket. He probably didn't reach expectations in his only year at Arizona, but it speaks to how talented he is that he's still considered to be a top-10 pick.
Twitter Talk
Quotable
“I offer versatility. I can score at all three levels… On defense, I’m going to play hard and I’m going to play smart. I’m a nasty competitor.” –Johnson on what he can bring to an NBA team.