NBA DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT
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
- Scottie Barnes – 6-9 – Florida State
- Jonathan Kuminga – 6-7 – G League (Congo)
- Jalen Johnson – 6-9 – Duke
- Franz Wagner – 6-9 – Michigan (Germany)
- Corey Kispert – 6-7 – Gonzaga
- Trey Murphy III – 6-9 – Virginia
- Vrenz Bleijenbergh – 6-10 – Belgium
- Ziaire Williams – 6-9 – Stanford
- Aaron Henry – 6-6 – Michigan State
- Herb Jones – 6-8 – Alabama
- Isaiah Livers – 6-7 – Michigan
- Kessler Edwards – 6-8 – Pepperdine
- Chris Smith – 6-9 – UCLA
- Eugene Omoruyi – 6-6 – Oregon
- Sam Hauser – 6-8 – Virginia
- Trendon Watford – 6-8 – LSU
- Derrick Alston Jr. – 6-9 – Boise State
- Alex Antetokounmpo – 6-7 – USA
- Emmitt Mathews Jr. – 6-7 – West Virginia