2016 NBA Draft: Who Shined on Day 3 of NCAA Tournament?

Brice Johnson, North Carolina Tarheels

Opponent: Providence Friars (9)

Result: 85-66, W

Stat Line: 32 minutes, 21 points, 10 rebounds, 2 offensive rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 7/9 FG, 7/7 FT

Position: Power Forward

Age: 21 (6/27/1994)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9.5″, 230 pounds, 6’11”

Analysis

Brice Johnson has used the 2015-16 college basketball season to emerge as one of the brightest stars in the country. A nightly double-double threat who has a lengthy list of gaudy stat lines, Johnson is rounding into defensive form at the perfect time.

His average of 1.5 blocks per game is nothing to scoff at, but in two NCAA Tournament outings, Johnson has already swatted 10 shots.

Johnson continued his string of double-doubles with 21 points and 10 rebounds on 7-of-9 shooting from the field. He went 7-of-7 at the free throw line, as well, and added two offensive rebounds and a steal to his tally.

Beyond the numbers is the way Johnson manhandled Providence’s frontline whenever he wanted to get a bucket.

Johnson is rather thin, but he’s not shying away from contact or letting stronger players bully him on the low block. Instead, he’s being the aggressor and becoming one of the most irresistibly appealing prospects in all of college basketball.

Realistically, if Johnson maintains this current level of play all the way to the Final Four, he’ll enter the draft lottery conversation.

Next: Sweet Shooting