Keshad Johnson

Johnson played five years at the college level, divided into a four-year stint at San Diego State and a one-and-done campaign at Arizona during the 2023-24 season. Johnson was merely a bench alternative in his first two years with the Aztecs, but he earned a regular starting role in his junior year, averaging 7.2 points per game in 2021-22 and upping that number to 7.7 as a senior in 2022-23. He joined Arizona as a graduate transfer and took his game to another level, averaging career highs in points (11.5), rebounds (5.9), assists (1.8), steals (1.0), blocks (0.7) and minutes (27.6) with the Wildcats while starting in each of his 36 Pac-12 appearances. Standing as a 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward, Johnson fits the mold of a player who should impact the defensive end due to his size alone. He accomplishes just that, as he's aggressive - in the right way - while evidencing solid lateral quickness, above-average strength and enough length to deal with taller opponents. He's an active off-ball defender, as he can switch defensively if needed and is also adept at defending pick-and-roll scenarios, something that's not very common among college players. Additionally, he's strong enough to hold his own in the post and is an impactful rebounder. Johnson gets tons of credit for his defensive game, but he is also a work in progress at the other end. He's slowly developing a reliable outside shot, though his ceiling might end up being a catch-and-shoot threat from beyond the arc, with most of his offensive game coming in the midrange and the post. He can also be an effective screener and finisher in pick-and-roll situations due to his elevated understanding and awareness. Johnson is a solid all-around player who doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. He's the type of player who could be a solid rotation player at the NBA level: he rebounds, defends, gets out in transition and makes good decisions with the ball. He's not likely to be a star, but he could find a role in the league.