Jalen Johnson

NBA DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT

POSITION: SF PFFROM: DukeHT: 6-9 1/4WT: 210
BORN: 12/18/01YEAR: Fr.WING: 7-0 1/4REACH: 8-10

Draft Notes

Johnson is a versatile player who can play on or off the ball and has legit point guard skills in a 6-9 frame. He excels at initiating the fast break and finding teammates and is a true quarterback of the offense/point forward.

There are a few orange flags with Johnson, as he missed most of his senior year of high school after transferring schools, was sidelined with a foot injury during his time at Duke and then left the program before the end of the season.

Despite these concerns Johnson is still a big time prospect. His length and athleticism allow him to defend multiple positions and he’s a high level rebounder who can hold is own in the paint. His rebounding translated early in his Duke career and his overall strength and athleticism really stood out.

  • A heady player who makes good reads and is a skilled passer
  • Has excellent speed and overall athleticism – plays above the rim with ease
  • Has decent shooting form but is inconsistent. Could take some time to develop this aspect of his game and needs to speed up his jumper.
  • Has the ability to post up smaller defenders and really uses his size and athleticism well to score in the lane.
  • Has a smooth mid range game and a soft touch around the basket
  • Crashes the boards well and can rip and run
  • Has good length for a perimeter defender and can really lock down his man
  • Defends at the rim well for a combo forward
  • Is an overall versatile player on both ends of the floor

Comparisons

  • Has Paul Pierce-like abilities, skills and frame.
  • Tobias Harris

Draft Projection

mid lottery to mid first round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft

Videos


2021 Small Forwards

  1. Scottie Barnes – 6-9 – Florida State
  2. Jonathan Kuminga – 6-7 – G League (Congo)
  3. Jalen Johnson – 6-9 – Duke
  4. Franz Wagner – 6-9 – Michigan (Germany)
  5. Corey Kispert – 6-7 – Gonzaga
  6. Trey Murphy III – 6-9 – Virginia
  7. Vrenz Bleijenbergh – 6-10 – Belgium
  8. Ziaire Williams – 6-9 – Stanford
  9. Aaron Henry – 6-6 – Michigan State
  10. Herb Jones – 6-8 – Alabama
  11. Isaiah Livers – 6-7 – Michigan
  12. Kessler Edwards – 6-8 – Pepperdine
  13. Chris Smith – 6-9 – UCLA
  14. Eugene Omoruyi – 6-6 – Oregon
  15. Sam Hauser – 6-8 – Virginia
  16. Trendon Watford – 6-8 – LSU
  17. Derrick Alston Jr. – 6-9 – Boise State
  18. Alex Antetokounmpo – 6-7 – USA  
  19. Emmitt Mathews Jr. – 6-7 – West Virginia