2016 NBA Draft: Who Stood Out on Day 1 of NCAA Tournament?
Brice Johnson, North Carolina Tar Heels
Opponent: Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
Result: 83-67, W
Stat Line: 32 minutes, 18 points, 7 rebounds, 4 offensive rebounds, 3 assists, 8 blocks, 1 steal, 7/11 FG, 4/6 FT
Position: Power Forward
Age: 21 (6/27/1994)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9.5″, 230 pounds, 6’11”
Analysis
After three seasons of erratic play, Brice Johnson has solidified his place as one of the most tantalizing prospects in the 2016 NBA Draft. A rather short wingspan could work against him, but Johnson’s explosiveness and consistency on the boards both project to translate to the next level.
Against the upset-hungry Florida Gulf Coast Eagles, Johnson did something that many had been anxious to see him do: he blocked every shot in his vicinity.
Johnson’s offensive production was up to par, with 18 points, four offensive rebounds, and three assists highlighting his day. The true measure of his performance was on defense, however, which is exactly what scouts and analysts needed to see.
Johnson recorded an absolutely absurd eight blocks to anchor North Carolina’s defensive interior.
Brice Johnson was a defensive monster with a career-high 8 blocks tonight to go with 18 Pts and 7 Reb. pic.twitter.com/udTw5tcdpx
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 18, 2016
If Johnson continues to establish himself as a shot-blocking threat, he would move up draft boards in a meteoric fashion. His wingspan is still a point of contention, but his explosiveness permits him to be a rim protector if he channels his attention to that area of the game.
This could be a career-altering development for the North Carolina star.
Next: A Necessary Performance