OKC Thunder: NBA Draft prospect from each Final 4 team to consider

OKC Thunder – UCLA draft prospect to watch: guard/forward- Johnny Juzang

Of the teams reaching the Final Four, the biggest surprise is the UCLA Bruins. Few had the Bruins selected in their brackets given they lost their last four games leading into March Madness.

Yet, the Bruins have delivered a stellar run defeating the Michigan Wolverines and the Crimson Tide of Alabama. Taking out teams seeded first and second required defensive intensity, focus to detail, and discipline.

They’ll be in tough facing the unbeaten Gonzaga Bulldogs. This would be the biggest upset of the tournament and for it to happen UCLA would need a near-perfect game featuring a breakout performer.

Without a bevy of Bruins who feast offensively the standout for UCLA has been Johnny Juzang who transferred from Kentucky. Initially considered a 3-point threat coach Mick Cronin tasked him with turning himself into becoming a scorer rather than a shooter. The 6’6″ guard did well gaining an ability to score in the paint, from range, in catch and shoot situations, and off the dribble.

That focus paid dividends particularly in the win versus Michigan when Juzang scored more than half UCLA’s points (28 of a total 51 points).  With more opportunity in UCLA, the tweener averaged 15.5 points and four rebounds in the regular season. He’s upped that output in the tournament averaging 21.6 points through five games.

While his 34.5 percent from deep isn’t going to bowl over OKC Thunder fans, his 90.2 percent free-throw efficiency offers room for optimism.  Given the defensive commitment of the Bruins, he might be worth a look late in the second round.

Given where the OKC Thunder hope to be selecting it’s unlikely Juzang would be someone who’ll garner a ton of attention. Then again, Sam Presti has made a habit of picking up undrafted players and turning them into diamonds (Dort and Brown)  who used the opportunity to convert a two-way contract into a full varsity deal.