The Los Angeles Clippers have selected North Carolina big man Brice Johnson with the 25th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Johnson, a 6'11 power forward out of Orangeburg, S.C, averaged 17 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks as a senior in Chapel Hill.
NBA Draft 2016: Clippers draft Brice Johnson with 25th pick
The UNC big man will join DeAndre Jordan and the Clippers.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Johnson was named first team All-ACC last season and selected to the Associated Press’ All-America Team. He also set a school record for most rebounds (416) and double-doubles in a season, and put up a monster 39-point, 23-rebound effort in a January win over Florida State.
Superior athleticism is what separated Johnson from other big men at the college ranks. The majority of his points came off cuts, drop-off passes and put-back dunks.
That said, Johnson did flash a semblance of a post game during his senior year. He has a solid hook shot when spinning towards his left shoulder and strong footwork. He finished the season eighth in the country in points per possession among those who saw more than 500 in the post, according to Draft Express. He will have to add some muscle to his frail 209-pound frame if he wishes to thrive down in the paint at the NBA level.
Johnson’s struggles on offense came when he was forced out of the paint. He only shot 36 percent outside of 12 feet, though he does have a decent-looking stroke and shot 78 percent from the foul line last season.
On defense Johnson is able to leverage his athleticism into superior rim protection.
He’s an excellent shot blocker but at times is slow and late sliding over to help. His lack of strength is also a worry. In the NBA he could have trouble getting into position and holding it. This could make rebounding difficult, too.
Johnson, though, is an agile near-seven-footer with NBA-level athleticism. Those don’t come around every day. The Clippers get good value here.
See More:
