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NBA Mock Draft 2016: Impact of the NCAA Tournament

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 1, 2016; Houston , TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during practice day prior to the 2016 NCAA Men
Apr 1, 2016; Houston , TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during practice day prior to the 2016 NCAA Men /
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Apr 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Brice Johnson (11) dunks the ball against Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) during the second half in the 2016 NCAA Men
Apr 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Brice Johnson (11) dunks the ball against Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) during the second half in the 2016 NCAA Men /

22. Brice Johnson, North Carolina Tar Heels

Position: Power Forward

Age: 22 (6/27/1994)

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

Slash Line: .614/.000/.783

Season Averages: 28.0 MPG, 17.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.9 ORPG, 1.5 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.1 SPG

Key Strengths

  • Natural athleticism. Above-the-rim finisher. Effortlessly runs the floor.
  • Rebounding. Productive and persistent on both ends. A skill that translates well.
  • Dramatically improved team defender. Showed signs of being an NBA-caliber shot-blocker.
  • Finishing ability at the rim.
  • Off-ball offense. Moves well, makes quick passes, and dives to the basket.

Key Weaknesses

  • Isolation offense. Still gets most of his offense through rebounding and a facilitator.
  • Limited shooting range. Must improve his jump shot to be a modern 4.
  • Needs to add a significant amount of muscle to his frame. Will he lose his explosiveness when he does?
  • Relatively short wingspan. Measurements at combine could determine draft stock.

Analysis

Brice Johnson has never met a rim that he doesn’t want to rip off of the backboard. He’s an excellent leaper who’s tailor-made for the pick-and-roll dependency of the Association, which is the foundation for his being heralded as one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2016 NBA Draft.

There’s rational skepticism surrounding how good of a player Johnson can be at the next level, but it’s hard to argue with the production he put forth in 2015-16.

Johnson is an excellent rebounder, which often translates well from one level to the next, and has shown serious signs of improvement as a shot-blocker. His relatively short wingspan is a concern, however, and his limited offensive range is an issue, as well.

Everyone has an opinion on how good Johnson will be, but what borders on objective is that he’s a good basketball player who can make a positive impact in the NBA.

Next: 3-and-D Big Man

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