2015 NBA Draft Profile: Stanley Johnson
By Jacob Rude
In our continued look at prospects for the 2015 NBA Draft, Stanley Johnson is next on deck. After the elite centers in this draft, Johnson may be the next best player and arguably the top perimeter prospect going into June.
Name: Stanley Johnson
School: Arizona
Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’8″
Weight: 243 pounds
Projected Draft Position: Top 5 pick
Overview: While Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns took the headlines during recruitment and in the preseason, Stanley Johnson and the Arizona Wildcats were quietly forming a very talented team. With Johnson as the top coup of a loaded recruit class for Sean Miller which had them ranked in the top five even after losing stud Aaron Gordon to the NBA Draft.
On the season, Johnson is average 13.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and is shooting 48.3% from the field and 42.9% from behind the three-point line. On the other end of the court, Johnson is averaging 1.6 steals and consistently going head-to-head against the opponent’s top scorer.
More from Arizona Wildcats
- Arizona Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2023-24 season
- Arizona Basketball: Sport’s best international pipeline fueling Wildcats
- Arizona Basketball: Wildcats land San Diego State transfer Keshad Johnson
- Arizona Basketball: Offseason storylines to watch after early NCAA Tournament exit
- Oregon vs Arizona: 2022-23 college basketball game preview, TV schedule
More than just matching up against the top talent on the opposing team, Johnson routinely locks them down. Michigan’s Caris LeVert was held to just eight points against Johnson in quite possibly his most impressive performance of the season-to-date.
While the Wildcats have been victim to a couple upsets of late, Johnson has impressed with his incredible physique and solid athleticism and, maybe most impressively, his elite defense on the perimeter. While his offense is a work in progress, his defense can earn him playing time right away at the next level.
Pros: Johnson is arguably the best perimeter defender in this draft and one of the best we’ve seen in the last few drafts. He has the size at 6’8″ to match-up with NBA small forwards and is athletic enough to hang with the elite athletes in the NBA.
With Team USA last summer, Johnson’s wingspan was measured at 6’11.5″ and at the Hoop Summit had a standing reach of 8’7.5″. Both measurements are a bit below what you’d want from an elite small forward but his athleticism and big frame make up for those physical deficiencies.
More from Busting Brackets
- San Diego State Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2023-24
- NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 4 teams for PF Jaxon Johnson
- NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 5 teams for top-100 SG Larry Johnson
- Oregon Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2023-24
- Big East Basketball: Ranking all head coaches going into 2023-24 season
If you need an idea of just how good he is defensively, take a look at this Draft Express video breaking down Johnson and LeVert’s battle, one which Johnson won rather handily.
For Johnson, his game is centered around his defense. He’s raw on the offensive end, but he’s improving. One of his biggest concerns was his shooting form and the inconsistency it brought. However, he’s shot an impressive 42.9% from behind the arc on 2.6 three-pointers attempted per game.
His size and athleticism makes him a force on fastbreaks, an area he excels in. If he can get out in the open court, he’s a solid finisher and can finish through contact with his impressive frame. Johnson is a great glue guy and can do all the things that go under the radar for teams.
Cons: To jump straight off the last point made, Johnson’s ceiling right now isn’t one of a superstar who can carry a team. For a top five draft pick, get a glorified glue guy is not quite the expectations you have in mind. Johnson is going to be the 3rd or 4th best player on a contending team, with an outside chance at being the Robin to someone’s Batman.
While he could develop into an elite defensive talent, it’s near impossible to expect his offensive game to develop that much. In the right situation, Johnson will succeed and possibly become a star, but don’t expect him to be a lighting up scoreboards with his scoring.
In our latest mock draft, we have Johnson going to the 76ers, which may not be the greatest case for him. A team like the Knicks with Carmelo Anthony or the Lakers with Kobe Bryant would be better suited as he’s never going to be needed as a leader on the offensive end.
For as much as Johnson has improved offensively, there will still be doubts as to whether this is a flash in the pan or a development in his game. While his three-point percentage may be improved, his free throw shooting is at 68.4%, which may be a better indicator of the inconsistency of his shot.
If his release can be adjusted, which is certainly something the staff at Arizona has been working on, then Johnson could really take a step forward. Consistency is key for him, as you can clearly see.
At best, you can project Johnson has a poor man’s Kawhi Leonard. Leonard isn’t the best player on the Spurs, but has made some big impacts on games. Johnson could have the same type of game in the NBA as a great glue guy who teams will love, assuming they don’t expect him to lead them to a title.