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2016 NBA Mock Draft: Top Prospects Entering March Madness

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 5, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) reacts from the court during the game against the LSU Tigers in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) reacts from the court during the game against the LSU Tigers in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Brice Johnson (11) reacts in the second half. The Duke Blue Devils defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 74-73 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Brice Johnson (11) reacts in the second half. The Duke Blue Devils defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 74-73 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

26. Brice Johnson, North Carolina Tar Heels

Position: Power Forward

Age: 21 (6/27/1994)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9.5″, 185 pounds, 6’11”

Slash Line: .610/.000/.766

Season Averages: 27.5 MPG, 16.9 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.1 ORPG, 1.4 APG, 1.3 BPG, 1.2 SPG

Analysis

Brice Johnson has been on the radar for quite some time, but it wasn’t until 2015-16 that he truly arrived. The North Carolina Tar Heels senior has emerged as a nightly double-double threat, flashing the potential to contribute similar numbers at the next level.

You can’t teach explosiveness, and rebounding generally translates well from one level to the next, and Johnson has both of those traits working in his favor.

Johnson burst onto the scene after Kennedy Meeks suffered an early-season injury, and he hasn’t slowed down with his frontcourt partner back in the rotation. He’s active on the boards, has expanded his offensive game, and has all of the tools to develop into one of the better pick-and-roll finishers in the NBA.

He’ll need to develop an outside shot due to his rather underwhelming wingspan and the limitations it places on his post game, but Johnson is just a good basketball player.

Johnson’s motor has stabilized, and he’s looking to make plays for the team rather than seeking individual glory. He’s developed better vision as a playmaker, which should help him catch on as a rebounder who can kickstart the effort in transition via his outlet passes.

Johnson still has skills to polish and develop, but he should have a solid NBA career.

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