NBA Draft: Projections for UNC’s Brice Johnson
We explore projections for Brice Johnson in the 2016 NBA Draft
Brice Johnson was the best player on North Carolina’s first runner-up team in the 2015-16 season.
On Saturday, Johnson graduated from UNC with a degree in Sports Administration, with a concentration on Exercise and Sport Science and now he has his eyes set on the NBA.
Before we discuss Johnson’s NBA draft projections, let’s review his body of work.
As a senior, Johnson averaged 17 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. He shot 61.4% from the field and made 78% of his free throws. Johnson was a first-team all-American and first-team all-ACC player.
Although he was not the 2016 ACC Player of the Year (lost to Malcolm Brogdon), Johnson made a strong case for this award by leading the conference in double-doubles (23).
Johnson’s NBA projections are all over the place.
Some critics compare his style of play to Kenyon Martin, Rasheed Wallace and Hakim Warrick. DraftExpress has Johnson selected by the Golden State Warriors at No. 30, the last pick in the first round. NBADraft.net projects Johnson to be selected at pick No. 15 by the Denver Nuggets.
While these projections are “safe,” it is better to look at other players who are projected to play the power forward position in the NBA; similar to Brice Johnson. DraftExpress has Ben Simmons (LSU), Dragan Bender (Croatia), Domantas Sabonis (Gonzaga), Skai Labissiere (Kentucky), Deyonta Davis (Michigan State), Henry Ellenson (Marquette), Marquese Chriss (Washington), Juan Hernangomez (Spain) and Petr Cornelie (France) being selected before Brice Johnson.
Although some of the these players had respectable seasons in college this past season, none of the college players were first-team all-Americans along with Johnson.
NBADraft.net has Ben Simmons (LSU), Dragan Bender (Croatia), Domantas Sabonis (Gonzaga), Skai Labissiere (Kentucky) and Deyonta Davis (Michigan State) before Brice Johnson as selections in the draft. Johnson’s skill set is above most of the players in this list.
Simmons is projected to be the likely overall No. 1 pick, along with Duke’s Brandon Ingram.
Simmons and Ingram are more versatile than Johnson and possess skill sets that allow them to play more than one position.
I think that Johnson will be selected anywhere between 12 to 19. He is good enough to be a lottery pick (top 14 draft picks). If Johnson impresses NBA executives at the Draft Combine and team workouts, he could find his way into the top seven or top 10 draft selections.
Check out some of Johnson’s highlights:
Underclassmen have taken over the NBA draft in recent years because the NBA loves the “potential” of young players who have not reached their ceiling yet. The unknown potential of one-and-dones and underclassmen makes them attractive picks, especially if they are athletic players who can play numerous positions.
NBA execs are enamored with a 19 year old who can jump out the gym, while forgetting about players like Johnson who stay in college for four years, win numerous honors and lead their team to a national championship game.
Johnson will play in the NBA for many years as he is ready to play right now. He does not have to learn his position, like younger players do. Johnson can play with his back to the basket or facing the basket. He can put the ball on the floor and blow by low post defenders and he can back down his opponents.
In regards to defense, Johnson may be the best shot blocker in the entire 2016 NBA Draft. In addition, he is an above-average rebounder who will put up modest numbers in his rookie NBA season.
More tar heels: UNC basketball coverage
UNC head coach Roy Williams and his staff did a great job preparing Johnson for the NBA. His style of play fits the fast-paced NBA.
Will Johnson have a great deal of doubters who will be in line to eat crow in the near future?