G: Nate Johnson (JR)
Height/Weight: 6’3”/204 lbs.
Previous School: Akron
2024-25 Stats: 14.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.7 SPG, 43.9% FG
Offensive Impact
Johnson can be best described as a physical 1 on 1 scoring guard who provides the most value when he is getting downhill. 67.2% FG at the rim (80th percentile)
Smaller guards have a very tough time dealing with his strength around the rim. Led to a 37.7% FT rate which is good for a guard.
His rim scoring ability should translate to the Big 12, as he will be one of the bigger guards in the league from day 1.
Has a tight handle and is well above average in the ball security department. Johnson is a guard you can rely on when dealing with pressure. His strength and balance help against pressure as well. 14.2% TO rate last season.
Not a risk taker in the playmaking department either. Will make solid reads when he draws a 2nd defender, but he is mostly hunting for his own shot.
Loses value the further away from the rim his shot attempts are.
Johnson is comfortable when operating in the mid-range, but the efficiency numbers aren’t great. 27% on 1.9 attempts per game (33rd percentile in efficiency).
From a mechanical standpoint, he is always leaning back on his pull-up jumper and never looks on balance. In turn, he is capable of making contested jumpers at a high level, but he lacks consistency when open.
29% from 3 last season and is just 31% for his career. Also struggles in the catch and shoot game, so playing off the ball in a halfcourt setting could be a slight issue (31st percentile in C&S efficiency).
Johnson’s efficiency numbers haven’t been great during his career at Akron (49.4% career EFG), so it is fair to say he could struggle in a much better league, but the transition should be seamless from an athleticism standpoint, so his interior based game shouldn’t see too much of an efficiency dip.
If the offensive responsibility is too large there is disaster potential here, but if Bashir hits and they can add something else in the portal I will be more optimistic.
Defensive Impact
Above average combo of size and speed at his position
Can realistically guard 1-3 due to his wider frame.
3.0% steal rate last season (led Akron). Active on the glass for his height as well (13% DREB).
Fits the defensive mold for coach Tang, who always likes to have a bigger guard that can disrupt actions on the perimeter (Cam Carter, CJ Jones).