Brice Johnson
PF, 6-9, 210
Sophomore, 19 years old (turns 20 on June 27)
Hometown: Orangeburg, SC
Season (20 mpg): 10.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.2 BPG
55% FG, 61% FT
21.8% defensive rebounding percentage (102nd nationally)
6.6% block percentage (117th nationally)
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North Carolina 93, Louisville 84
Sunday, November 24, 2013 | Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, CT)
Brice Johnson — PF, 6-9, 210
Sophomore, 19 years old (turns 20 on June 27, one day after NBA Draft)
Season (20.1 min): 13.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.6 BPG
Game: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 6-7 from the field
Outlook: Johnson really impressed me vs. Louisville. Standing at 6-9 with a 6-11 wingspan, he could be the most bouncy forward in the country. In high school, he won consecutive South Carolina state championships in the high jump, and set records in the long and triple jump. Johnson is an athletic freak who—despite his skinny frame—competes hard on every possession.
Johnson is way too skinny right now though. But if he gains weight, he has a chance to make it.
On one play in the first half, Johnson stuffed a Montrezl Harrell dunk attempt at the rim, then ran up the court in four strides to catch an alley-oop. On a play in the second half, Johnson caught a put back “and-one” dunk over Harrell. He’s so bouncy that he literally has to restrain himself from going “all out” when jumping. If you throw the ball up, Johnson will go and get it.
Johnson is a surprisingly good finisher around the basket, with a soft touch to accentuate his athleticism. He struggles to finish through contact, though. Nimble on his feet and swift in his motions, but lacks touch, muscle and go-to moves in the post.
Johnson is a very raw prospect at this point, but if he can add muscle, and continues to average 13.6 points and 7 rebounds on 63% shooting (in only 20 minutes per game), he should work his way into the NBA Draft conversation.
TRANSITION
As mentioned, Johnson has tremendous bounce in transition. Weak ball handling skills, but has good size and long arms to finalize plays in the open court.
POST-UPS / PUT-BACKS
Johnson’s development in this area will be key to his future. He’s shooting 52% on “around the basket” attempts and 43% percent on “post up” attempts this season, per Synergy. Furthermore, his 1.34 points per play around the basket ranks in the 80th percentile nationally.
Establishes great position with his feet and angling of his “trunk,” and although he doesn’t have the strongest hands, he is bouncy to get off a clean attempt. He needs to refine his polish, to rely on actual moves rather than athleticism.
OVERALL
Per the above points, Johnson has a lot of work to do—adding muscle, expanding his range to 19-feet, and becoming a little smoother. But he’s also a freak athlete with an increased knack for scoring and rebounding. A unique player who will have to show us more, but all things considered, he’s on the right path.
North Carolina 82, Kentucky 77
Saturday, December 14, 2013 | Dean Smith Center (Chapel Hill, NC)
Brice Johnson — Sophomore, 19 years old
PF, 6-9, 210
Season (20.6 mpg): 13 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.4 BPG
3.4 Fouls Per Game, 60% FG
Game (24 min): 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks
4-10 FG
Outlook: Johnson was active and played with unmatched energy and intensity. He runs the floor well (track athlete background), and is gradually developing his back to the basket game. He has good touch to go along with his athleticism, and Johnson is the “x-factor” on this UNC team.
He’s also difficult to evaluate. On one hand, he has extraordinary physical tools, to go along with an 8.3% block percentage and a terrific 13.4 rebounds per 40 minutes. His athleticism allows him to play defense against stronger/bigger opponents, and he quickly covers ground on both ends of the floor. On the other hand, though, Johnson has a skinny frame (210 pounds), and offensively lacks the shooting touch to be a solid spot-up/stretch forward.
Johnson has extraordinary athleticism, is producing efficiently, and at this point has a ceiling that is hard to gauge. As I wrote in his previous evaluation,
“Johnson has a lot of work to do—adding significant amounts of muscle, expanding his range to 19-feet, and becoming a little smoother. But he also has some unteachable tools. Freak athlete, natural touch and a knack for scoring below the foul line. A unique player who will have to showcase more, but he’s on the right path.”
Not much has changed since then.
Video: Field Goals/Fouls Drawn vs. Kentucky
Video: Missed Field Goals
Video: Defending Shots vs. Kentucky (small snippet)