Knicks take Keon Johnson with No. 21 pick, reportedly send guard to Clippers
With the No. 21 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks have selected Tennessee shooting guard Keon Johnson.
Johnson's rights were reportedly traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for the No. 25 pick in this year's draft and a future-second round pick, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
As a member of the SEC All-Freshman Team this past campaign, Johnson scored 11.3 points with 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. The 19-year-old came off the bench in 10 of his first 11 contests for the Volunteers due to a meniscus injury suffered as a senior in high school. However, he started the final 16 games of the regular season as Rick Barnes' side finished fourth in the conference before going out in the NCAA Tournament's first round.
Johnson is an explosive talent and arguably one of the better all-around athletes in the draft. His physical prowess was on full display during the NBA combine when he set a new record with a 48-inch vertical leap.
Bio
Position: SG
School: Tennessee
College experience: Freshman
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 184.8 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-7
Max vertical: 48 inches
Strengths
- One of the most explosive athletes up for selection; excels when heading downhill to the rim.
- Pairs his athleticism well with tenacious on-ball defense; can recover well even if beat off the dribble.
- Great at reading passing lanes.
Weaknesses
- Struggles with his outside shot; took just 1.8 threes per game and converted at a 27.1% clip.
- Needs to improve his dribble to beat defenders when the open court is taken away.
- Playmaking instincts are still very raw, will take time to develop.