Keon Johnson played one year for the University of Tennessee and is now entering the NBA draft at 19 years old. Johnson was a five-star prospect and his upside and athleticism has improved his stock over the past season. He is projected to be taken in the lottery on July 29. Let’s take a look at his skill set.
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Player Bio
Name: Keon Johnson
Position: Guard
School: Tennessee
Age: 19
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 186 lbs
Prototype: Two-Way Slashing Guard
Defense (24/25)
Johnson is a terrific defender. He uses his elite athleticism to pressure guards and fight around screens. Johnson is also tough to drive past due to his lateral quickness. He will be a successful defender at the next level due to pure athleticism and high IQ.
Perimeter Shooting (9/15)
Johnson’s offensive upside is limited due to his lack of ability to shoot the three consistently. He shot the ball 27.1% from beyond the arc in his one-and-done season. Opposing players can go under screens to take away drives and he is unable to take advantage and knockdown semi-contested jumpers.
Finishing (14.25/15)
Johnson is terrific in transition as a finisher. He uses his elite speed and defensive ability to turn defense into offense. He uses his quick first step and athleticism to drive by opponents and finish through contact in the half-court.
Passing (9/15)
He has work to do as a passer, but he is far from being a poor one. He averaged 2.5 assists per game, which is decent, but he will need to work on his playmaking if he wants to become an all-star caliber guard.
Athleticism (10/10)
Johnson is an athletic freak. He has a quick first step and blazing speed, using his athleticism very well when driving to the basket or on defense. He uses his physicality and athleticism well together to make plays on both ends of the floor.
Ball Handling (6/10)
The ball-handling improved throughout the season. He relies more on his athleticism rather than skillful handles, which can cause him to turn the ball over, but his handles are good enough to get by in the NBA.
Rebounding (3.5/5)
Surprisingly Johnson is not an elite rebounder at the guard position. He has the traits to become a better rebounder with his athleticism and vertical, but he has not reached his full potential in that category yet. He picked up 3.5 rebounds per game at Tennessee.
Injury (3.75/5)
Johnson has suffered a few injuries including one meniscus injury that kept him sidelined for six weeks, but he was able to play in 27 of Tennessee games last season.
Bonus: Potential (+4.5/5)
Johnson has a very intriguing skill set and a high floor due to his athleticism. If he can improve as a shooter and limit turnovers he has the potential to become an all-star.
Player Summary
Johnson is a high-upside guard that will likely stay in the NBA for years due to his athleticism. Whether or not he improves as a shooter, he plays terrific defense and can finish at the basket. It is likely that Johnson is selected in the lottery with some mock drafts having him go as high as six. The Tennessee product has an enticing skill set that could cause NBA teams to take him higher than projected.
Final Grade (84/100): Late Lottery Pick
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