Keon Johnson

Draft Notes

Keon Johnson is a next level athlete who’s stock is trending up. He didn”t get a ton of touches for a loaded Tennessee team but he has a ton of natural ability and all the tools NBA teams look for. He’s one of the least polished players in this year’s lottery/mid first round but his athletic upside and flashes of ability will likely get him drafted in the top 14.

At the draft combine he posted a ridiculous 48-inch vertical leap, smashing the previous record. This demonstrates his next level athleticism (although we must point out that his standing reach of 8-1 is quite low, which boosts his vertical number).

Johnson will need some time to refine his ball-handling, shooting and play-making skills but his elite athleticism and rock solid frame give him a nice NBA ceiling. At this point he drives the ball mostly to the right but he does so effectively and with a lot of success. He’s got great burst into the lane and explodes above the rim.

In some ways he plays like a young Ron Artest, being physical in the paint, rebounding the heck out the ball and also initiating the offense as a point forward. Another player Johnson reminds me of is Jaylen Brown, with his physical driving style and high end athleticism. It’s too early to say if he’ll be as good as those two players but the tools are there.

At this point outside shooting isn’t a strength but his shot certainly isn’t broken and will surely improve over the course of his career. He’s a slasher and a hustle player who doesn’t need to be a first or second option on offense to have a big impact on the game.

On the defensive end is where Johnson really stands out. He’s a pesky, hard-nosed defender who gives great effort and really looks in on his man. He plays passing lanes well and has very quick hands. At 6-5 he’s got enough size to guard SFs and his quick feet and awesome lateral agility allow him to stay in-front of just about any player out there.

Comparisons

• smaller Jaylen Brown

Draft Projection

lottery pick in the 2021 NBA Draft

2021 Shooting Guards

1. Jalen Green – 6-5 – G League Ingite
2. Moses Moody – 6-6 – Arkansas
3. James Bouknight – 6-5 – UConn
4. Keon Johnson – 6-5 – Tennessee 
5. Jaden Springer – 6-4 – Tennessee
6. Chris Duarte – 6-6 – Oregon
7. Cam Thomas – 6-3 – LSU
8. Tre Mann – 6-5 – Florida
9. Josh Primo – 6-6 – Alabama
10. Joe Wieskamp – 6-6 – Iowa
11. Quentin Grimes – 6-5 – Houston
12. Josh Christopher – 6-5 – Arizona State
13. Brandon Boston Jr. – 6-7 – Kentucky 
14. D.J. Steward – 6-3 – Duke
15. David Duke – 6-5 – Providence
16. D.J. Steward Jr. 6-6 – Miss. State
17. Paul Scruggs – 6-4 – Xavier
18. Austin Reaves – 6-5 – Oklahoma
19. Aaron Wiggins – 6-6 – Maryland
20. RJ Nembhard – 6-5 – TCU
21. A.J. Lawson – 6-6 – South Carolina 
22. Alan Griffin – 6-5 – Syracuse
23. Juhann Begarin – 6-4 – France
24. M.J. Walker – 6-5 – Florida State
25. Malcolm Cazalon – 6-6 – France 
26. Scottie Lewis – 6-5 – Florida
27. Marcus Zegarowski – 6-2 – Creighton
28. John Petty – 6-6 – Alabama
29. Nahziah Carter – 6-6 – NA
30. Kyree Walker – 6-4 – Phoenix, AZ