SEC Freshman of the Year Keldon Johnson has become a household name at the college level. Now, the former Kentucky Wildcat has his eyes set on the NBA. Johnson is projected as a first-round pick in the upcoming 2019 NBA Draft.

2019 NBA Draft Profile for Keldon Johnson

Keldon Johnson’s College Career

The University of Kentucky breeds NBA stars. Johnson may be the next in line. At Kentucky, Johnson averaged 13.5 points and 6 rebounds on 46 percent shooting from the field. He earned several All-SEC honors, including Freshman of the Year in the competitive conference. Johnson started in 36 of his 37 collegiate games, helping lead the Wildcats to a 30-7 record and an Elite Eight appearance. He flourished as the third option on a stacked Kentucky team, sharing the offensive load with fellow projected first-rounders PJ Washington and Tyler Herro.

Strengths

Johnson is a great athlete with the hustle and heart of a champion. He’s a wing that can get to the rim with relative ease and finishes at a high mark. He can shoot the ball well, though at a low volume. He shot over 38 percent from beyond the arc last season, but only averaged around three attempts per contest. His size and athleticism at the shooting guard position will translate well to the NBA. He shows a lot of potential on the defensive side of the ball as well.

Weaknesses

His hustle and athleticism sometimes lead to out-of-control plays in crucial moments. At times, he was hesitant to shoot the 3-ball, leading to inconsistencies in his shooting game. His free throw percentage is a tad low for a guard, hovering around 70 percent. The potential is there, but he needs to polish his game to reach that potential. He’s been talked about as a 3-and-D player, though his catch-and-shoot game needs improvement to truly fit that category.

Player Comparison

A Klay Thompson prototype that needs some polishing.

Draft Projection

Late lottery to mid-first round.

Last Word on Keldon Johnson

With some work, Johnson could become a great 3-and-D player, a coveted position in the current NBA. His athleticism and heart will translate to the next level with ease, and if he can establish some consistency on the offensive end, he will be a great prospect moving forward. On the right team, Johnson could make an immediate impact and could someday develop into a household name.

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