Scouting Report: Stanley Johnson

Stanley Johnson is a small forward for the University of Arizona. Johnson is 6’7 with a wingspan of 6’11.5. Johnson is averaging 28.2 minutes per game, 13.9 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, 1.8 assists per game, 1.5 steals per game, while shooting 44.9% from the field, and 35.3% from three.

Pros:

• Potential lockdown defender
• Versatility with the ability to guard up to three positions
• Length and speed to wreak havoc in passing lanes
• Attacks the lane and gets to the free throw line
• Converts his free throws(73.5% for the year)
• Good decision making
• High basketball IQ
• Unselfish and knows his role

Cons:

• Not polished on the offensive side
• His jumper needs work, not that he is inaccurate, but he has a very flat form which causes him to struggle when he is under pressure
• Good, but not great athleticism
• Can be turnover prone(2.3 turnovers per game this year)

Overall:

Johnson is not going to wow you with athleticism but what he will do is come in from the start, learn from your veterans, try to out train everyone, and work with everyone to become a better player. Johnson is a natural winner as shown by him becoming the first player in California history to win 4 high school championships in his 4 years in high school. Johnson will also be able to thrive based off his ability not to have to be the number one guy but as an unselfish third or fourth option that is willing to do the dirty work. This may lead to Johnson never being an NBA All-Star but he will still be a good NBA player.

Pro Comparison:

Metta World Peace/Jimmy Butler

Johnson is a lot like these two players in regards that he is a stalwart on defense. Everyone feared having to be guarded by Peace in his prime and currently dread being guarded but Butler now, and from the get go, Johnson will be the same type of tenacious defender. It took both Peace and Butler a couple seasons to get use to the NBA offense but once they did they were dominate on both ends of the court becoming invaluable guys much like Johnson will become.

By: Mac Crowe @Mac_Truck17