Keshad Johnson

[arizonawildcats]

Jonathan Givony's November risers

Keshad Johnson | PF | Arizona

Preseason ranking: N/A | Top 100: No. 49

Arizona is 6-0 with a road win over Duke and a neutral-floor victory against Michigan State, giving the Wildcats possibly the best résumé in college basketball besides Purdue.

A major reason for that is the outstanding play of the fifth-year senior Johnson, particularly on the defensive end. He has been a game-changer on defense by locking up the paint as a rim protector, sliding his feet switching onto guards on the perimeter, closing out on shooters with outstanding technique and bringing nonstop effort and physicality in the paint.

Johnson's ability to body up big men, switch 1 through 5 and make plays at the rim as a drop or help defender positions him with ideal versatility for modern NBA defenses.

Offensively, Johnson is benefiting from the more wide-open style at Arizona that has allowed him to get easier baskets in the paint and step into 3-pointers with more freedom. His jump shot will be scrutinized by NBA scouts looking to project his offensive role at the next level, but the fact that he has hit nearly one 3-pointer per game and is converting 81% of his free throws is a good start.

Johnson showed his toughness and experience in creating big plays down the stretch of both of Arizona's biggest wins while making a strong case with NBA teams in the process. He has an ideal platform at Arizona to continue to help himself as the season moves on.

https://archive.ph/x78br#selection-14491.0-14507.262

[dovecanyoncat]

^^^^^^^^^ Not to mention an O board when we have to extend a possession or get a bucket.

[AzCatFan2]

Keshod is the elite defender we were missing last year. Especially when Dalen Terry blew up at the combine and made the right decision to enter the draft. Throw in Keshod being a solid shooter, and we're getting more than expected. It also looks like KJ is having a blast out there, and enjoys playing on the team. Couldn't ask for much more from a grad transfer.

[TheCat]

We would have two losses without his rebounds and hustle. A key piece to the puzzle .

Where we are better then last year is clearly on the defensive side of the ball. While Zu could score and rebound he was not very comfortable if he had to move out to the perimeter. That costs us dearly against Princeton. Kerr was not a good defender at all and both Caleb and JB can defend.

[84Cat]

[arizonawildcats]

[arizonawildcats]

Keshad played with his right index finger PIP joint taped yesterday but it didn't seem to bother him. I only noticed in today's press conference.

[arizonawildcats]

[azcat49]

Love this guy.

[CalStateTempe]

His leadership in the beginning of the second helped us whether the storm until Bradley could get going

Been here before and it shows

[MrKyle]

He really kept us going in this one; this is the reason TL brought in Keyshad and Caleb.

[Merkin]

Cats really going to go deep to find someone with his toughness.

Even that missed dunk was impressive. How far did that ball go out?

[Postmaster]

Do we know why he left SDSU?

[AZCatGirl]

I thought he was out of eligibility.

[Postmaster]

I thought he was out of eligibility.

Ok
I wasn’t sure because of Covid year. Plus I never hear him referred to as a grad transfer

[Merkin]

Do we know why he left SDSU?

Good read here on Keshad. Might have been NIL money. And according to this, he did graduate from SDSU.


https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sp ... ats-commit

[AZCatGirl]

This is in reference to the dunk contest he was in tonight. Love this guy.