OKC Thunder NBA draft profile: Jalen Johnson – versatile forward with upside

OKC Thunder NBA Draft prospect series; Duke Blue Devils forward Jalen Johnson (1) shoots the ball against the Miami Hurricanes. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
OKC Thunder NBA Draft prospect series; Duke Blue Devils forward Jalen Johnson (1) shoots the ball against the Miami Hurricanes. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
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OKC Thunder NBA Draft prospect series: Duke’s Jalen Johnson makes the basket over Louisville’s Jae’Lyn Withers.01/23/21 Louisville Duke 04

Next up for Intentions annual OKC Thunder prospect profile series is Duke forward Jalen Johnson.

A prospect who if focused could develop into an all-around two-way player that could impact games on several fronts.

He has NBA-ready size and athleticism showing glimpses of spectacular but equally as often loses interest and displays concerning habits no club wants their team to emulate.

At just 19 and still raw if Johnson channels his energy and commitment to the sport in five years he could be viewed as one of the better prospects from the 2021 class.

OKC Thunder draft prospect profile for Jalen Johnson:

Specifics:

  • Height: 6’9″
  • Weight:  220 pounds
  • Wingspan: 6’11
  • Position: Forward
  • Birthdate/Age:  December 18, 2001, 19 years
  • College: Duke, freshman
  • Stat line:  11.2 points,  6.1 rebounds,  2.2 assists,  1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks
  • Home Town: Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

Box Score Statistics:

Per Game Table
Season G MP FGA FG% 2PA 2P% 3PA 3P% FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK PTS
2020-21 13 21.4 8.4 .523 7.0 .538 1.4 .444 2.9 .632 1.5 4.5 6.1 2.2 1.2 1.2 11.2

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 7/16/2021.

Current Ranking:

The range of a top-10 placement all the way to 21st likely has to do with questions about his commitment (see weaknesses).

With that let’s dive a little deeper into Jalen Johnson to determine his strengths and weaknesses.