{"id":81533,"date":"2024-06-17T07:00:47","date_gmt":"2024-06-17T11:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=81533"},"modified":"2024-06-15T12:52:53","modified_gmt":"2024-06-15T16:52:53","slug":"keshad-johnson-2024-nba-draft-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/06\/17\/keshad-johnson-2024-nba-draft-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"Keshad Johnson 2024 NBA Draft Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the highest leapers in the 2024 NBA Draft class, Arizona forward Keshad Johnson has raised eyebrows with his 6\u20197\u201d frame and overall versatility.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keshad Johnson 2024 NBA Draft Profile<\/b><\/h2>\n

College Career<\/b><\/h3>\n

A fifth-year student athlete, Johnson spent his undergraduate career at San Diego State, growing into a starter by his junior year. Across 113 career games (71 starts) for the Aztecs, he averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and one assist per game on .520\/.309\/.642 splits. He led San Diego State with 14 points in their championship game loss to UConn in 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a Wildcat, Johnson improved significantly with the opportunities he received. He started all 36 games he played for head coach Tommy Lloyd, averaging 11.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and one steal per game. He did so while shooting 53% from the field, 38% from three and 71% from the free-throw line. In Arizona’s March Madness run, Johnson put up 10.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and one assist per game on 52% shooting from the field and 37% from distance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strengths<\/b><\/h3>\n

Johnson is a strong, athletic power forward who rebounds often and scores in the paint while sometimes putting the ball on the floor. He can drive into the key with ease and use his 224-pound frame to convert easy looks near the basket, whether it\u2019s a <\/span>highlight slam<\/span><\/a> or a tough layup. Johnson made 60% of his field goals inside the arc\u2014his second-best mark since making 65% of them as a junior. Part of the reason why he\u2019s so effective on offense is his ability to get himself open and move without the ball. That allows for easy passes into the dunker spot or off of lobs.<\/span><\/p>\n

The forward\u2019s ability to get open has also allowed him to extend his shooting range. Johnson\u2019s 38% mark from the perimeter is another career-high, and <\/span>he has been the most effective from the corner<\/span><\/a> off the catch. Up until February, he shot <\/span>46% on unguarded catch-and-shoot threes<\/span><\/a> but 24% when he was contested.<\/span><\/p>\n

Johnson has also thrived as a versatile point-of-attack defender, with his size and quickness helping him plenty in that regard. No Ceilings NBA<\/a> noted that opponents find little success when Johnson is guarding them:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>He\u2019s fluid with his hips. He does a phenomenal job of containing the ball and cutting off advantageous driving angles. More often than not, opponents end up in the mid-range on the baseline, unable to generate any penetration whatsoever, or taking tough mid-range twos. Bigger opponents aren\u2019t able to plow through him, and smaller guys aren\u2019t able to best his blend of power and agility.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Keshad Johnson showed his defensive versatility in Arizona's NCAA tournament win over Dayton, checking guards, wings and bigs, including important 2nd half minutes as a small-ball 5. Showed his athleticism, crashed the glass, made smart passes and hit a spot-3. pic.twitter.com\/KqGPS7a4qh<\/a><\/p>\n

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 23, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n