Jalen Johnson – Forward – Duke
Entering the 2020-21 college basketball season, there was a lot of hype around Jalen Johnson at Duke, but he wound up only playing 11 games for the Blue Devils due to a foot injury and then decided to leave the team to prepare for the 2021 NBA Draft. There are questions surrounding his work ethic and character as a result of what transpired at Duke, but this should not take away from what kind of player Jalen Johnson is.
Standing about 6’9”, Johnson can not only be a factor on the wing or in the low-post, but he is more than comfortable bringing the ball up the court as a forward! He is definitely a very strong rebounder and with his big frame and athleticism, he is a tough player to keep out of the paint.
alen Johnson also has shown flashes of being a really solid jump shooter from the perimeter as well! In his small sample size of games at Duke, Johnson shot 8-18 (44.4%) from three-point range, which is definitely above-average for a prospect of his stature.
A cross between T.J. Warren and Tobias Harris type of player is definitely a strong comparison to make for Jalen Johnson. He is an above-average level athlete and while he may not be the most explosive player, he is more than comfortable taking his time to get to his spots on the floor.
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Jalen Johnson is expected to be drafted in the lottery in the 2021 NBA Draft, but for any team looking for a length forward who can make plays for his team with or without the ball in his hands, not to mention the upside he possesses, Johnson could be a guy that many teams look to trade up for on draft night if he begins to slip past the No. 10 pick.
