Top 11 ACC NBA Prospects

[Ronnyp91]

https://www.cbssports.com/college-b...in-our-top-11-acc-players-with-pro-potential/


8. Xavier Johnson, Pittsburgh
Measurables: 6-3, 220 pounds
Position: Guard
Draft projection: Second round
What to know: There weren't many bright spots for Pitt last season, but the discovery of Xavier Johnson as a building block was certainly one of them. The former three-star prospect finished second among ACC players in conference play in assist rate, third in fouls drawn per 40 minutes and fourth in free-throw rate, all according to KenPom.com. Translated, he distributed the ball well and attacked the rim aggressively as Pitt ran its offense through him. Now that he's officially on the radar, he's in for a breakout sophomore season with more notoriety soon to follow.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

X reminds me of the great & tough point guards at Pitt over the last 20 years. If he can develop a better jump shot he could make the end of the 1st round. Really excited to watch him play this season.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-b...in-our-top-11-acc-players-with-pro-potential/


8. Xavier Johnson, Pittsburgh
Measurables: 6-3, 220 pounds
Position: Guard
Draft projection: Second round
What to know: There weren't many bright spots for Pitt last season, but the discovery of Xavier Johnson as a building block was certainly one of them. The former three-star prospect finished second among ACC players in conference play in assist rate, third in fouls drawn per 40 minutes and fourth in free-throw rate, all according to KenPom.com. Translated, he distributed the ball well and attacked the rim aggressively as Pitt ran its offense through him. Now that he's officially on the radar, he's in for a breakout sophomore season with more notoriety soon to follow.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

X reminds me of the great & tough point guards at Pitt over the last 20 years. If he can develop a better jump shot he could make the end of the 1st round. Really excited to watch him play this season.

If his jump shot improves and his decision making improves , which it should , he’s a first rounder .

 

[Pittparade]

In what Universe is that kid 6-3 and well above 200 lbs.?

I am under the impression that X is more like 6' tall.

 

[Pittparade]

https://www.cbssports.com/college-b...in-our-top-11-acc-players-with-pro-potential/


8. Xavier Johnson, Pittsburgh
Measurables: 6-3, 220 pounds
Position: Guard
Draft projection: Second round
What to know: There weren't many bright spots for Pitt last season, but the discovery of Xavier Johnson as a building block was certainly one of them. The former three-star prospect finished second among ACC players in conference play in assist rate, third in fouls drawn per 40 minutes and fourth in free-throw rate, all according to KenPom.com. Translated, he distributed the ball well and attacked the rim aggressively as Pitt ran its offense through him. Now that he's officially on the radar, he's in for a breakout sophomore season with more notoriety soon to follow.

No offense to anybody but this evaluation is meaningless.

I don't really know what he needs to do to make the NBA at some point in his life. However, to help the PITT BB team, he needs to reduce turnovers and improve perimeter shooting. Avoiding foul trouble would be another goal for personal improvement.

 

[Pitt2006]

Considering he is already on mock draft boards, he does not need to do a whole lot more to get a chance after this year. That is crazy (in a good way) regarding his talent as this has not happened to Pitt guards before.

 

[DiehardPanther]

In what Universe is that kid 6-3 and well above 200 lbs.?

I am under the impression that X is more like 6' tall.

I was thinking the same thing. I could see listing him at 6-1 190, but 6-3 220???

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

I was thinking the same thing. I could see listing him at 6-1 190, but 6-3 220???

6-3 (in shoes) looks about right seeing him play in games compared to other players. There is absolutely no way that he is only 6-1. Aiken Jr is 6-1. Weight 220--I doubt that but he is solidly built and has to weigh at least 200-205.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

https://www.cbssports.com/college-b...in-our-top-11-acc-players-with-pro-potential/


8. Xavier Johnson, Pittsburgh
Measurables: 6-3, 220 pounds
Position: Guard
Draft projection: Second round
What to know: There weren't many bright spots for Pitt last season, but the discovery of Xavier Johnson as a building block was certainly one of them. The former three-star prospect finished second among ACC players in conference play in assist rate, third in fouls drawn per 40 minutes and fourth in free-throw rate, all according to KenPom.com. Translated, he distributed the ball well and attacked the rim aggressively as Pitt ran its offense through him. Now that he's officially on the radar, he's in for a breakout sophomore season with more notoriety soon to follow.

Fantasy at this point. I spoke to an NBA scout I know personally and the scout had never even heard of XJ much less as a player on some potential draft list.

That being said, if XJ has a better year--particularly with his outside shooting improving a lot he could actually become a true candidate for the draft.

 

[lilspainishflea]

Fantasy at this point. I spoke to an NBA scout I know personally and the scout had never even heard of XJ much less as a player on some potential draft list.

Sounds like professional negligence IMHO.

 

[dukedevilz]

Fantasy at this point. I spoke to an NBA scout I know personally and the scout had never even heard of XJ much less as a player on some potential draft list.

That being said, if XJ has a better year--particularly with his outside shooting improving a lot he could actually become a true candidate for the draft.

Never heard of XJ? Must be a scout for the Knicks.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Sounds like professional negligence IMHO.

Not to mention you didn’t say what type of scout he is. Is he an area scout? College scout? Overseas scout? Acc scout? Teams employ dozens of different scouts that are specific to their regions it jobs. I wouldn’t expect an southeastern scout for the Lakers to know who X is

 

[Tonyt66]

Fantasy at this point. I spoke to an NBA scout I know personally and the scout had never even heard of XJ much less as a player on some potential draft list.

That being said, if XJ has a better year--particularly with his outside shooting improving a lot he could actually become a true candidate for the draft.

He never heard of XJ he must a scout for the NBA the Neighborhood Basketball Association...Ijs

 

[Ski11585]

Fantasy at this point. I spoke to an NBA scout I know personally and the scout had never even heard of XJ much less as a player on some potential draft list.

That being said, if XJ has a better year--particularly with his outside shooting improving a lot he could actually become a true candidate for the draft.

I don't buy this. Johnson made the ACC All-Freshmen team. Scouts are going to know the all-freshmen team for one of the best conferences in college hoops.

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Scouts colleges primarily. Also scouts other NBA teams for personnel, coaching and style of play changes pre-season and early season only. Is a former NBA player and NBA assistant coach. Primarily scouts western half of U.S. and Eastern half less often so maybe that is in part why he hadn’t heard of XJ.

By the way—Doesn’t work for NY Knicks! LOL

In any event, he will no doubt be inquiring about XJ now that I mentioned him to him. And, as I said before, on this board, if XJ can get his 3-ball shooting % higher he will be a prime NBA prospect after the coming season. That is XJ’s primary weakness at this moment.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Scouts colleges primarily. Also scouts other NBA teams for personnel, coaching and style of play changes pre-season and early season only. Is a former NBA player and NBA assistant coach. Primarily scouts western half of U.S. and Eastern half less often so maybe that is in part why he hadn’t heard of XJ.

By the way—Doesn’t work for NY Knicks! LOL

In any event, he will no doubt be inquiring about XJ now that I mentioned him to him. And, as I said before, on this board, if XJ can get his 3-ball shooting % higher he will be a prime NBA prospect after the coming season. That is XJ’s primary weakness at this moment.

This makes a ton of sense. I’m sure whatever team he works for has someone who is aware of him and may already have a PI looking into his background. These NBA teams take NO chances with that stuff!

 

[pitt2533]

Fantasy at this point. I spoke to an NBA scout I know personally and the scout had never even heard of XJ much less as a player on some potential draft list.

That being said, if XJ has a better year--particularly with his outside shooting improving a lot he could actually become a true candidate for the draft.

That scout should probably find a new profession then.

While Johnson might not be a sure fire 1st rounder and is probably only a mediocre prospect at this point, NBA scouts should absolutely know who he is.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Fantasy at this point. I spoke to an NBA scout I know personally and the scout had never even heard of XJ much less as a player on some potential draft list.

That being said, if XJ has a better year--particularly with his outside shooting improving a lot he could actually become a true candidate for the draft.

Being that they know about players in every country in the world your scout must cover the rest of the universe !

 

[Cavalier Panther]

It boggles the mind that a professional scout had not heard of X, but will now look into him because DC_Area_Panther mentioned X over drinks.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

I don't buy this. Johnson made the ACC All-Freshmen team. Scouts are going to know the all-freshmen team for one of the best conferences in college hoops.

Especially when the other 4 on that team were NBA lottery picks.

 

[Deer Head]

Every team has someone who scores. Have to win to get looks, which Pitt is still far from doing.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Every team has someone who scores. Have to win to get looks, which Pitt is still far from doing.

This is 100 percent true, it’s just like rebounding. SOMEONE on the team is gonna average 6-7 rebounds.

I see him going the Tony Carr route though if he puts up big numbers again and going overseas at worst

 

[BFo8]

Every team has someone who scores. Have to win to get looks, which Pitt is still far from doing.

Coming from a winning program is relatively unimportant to NBA talent evaluators compared to talent and potential.

 

[NGPittCali]

Wait a second here... some Pitt forum poster had to turn a real life NBA scout onto XJ, and this said scout had never heard of him?

I call BS. Our forum faithful is full of it.

 

[balboa10]

I was thinking the same thing. I could see listing him at 6-1 190, but 6-3 220???

6-3 (in shoes) looks about right seeing him play in games compared to other players. There is absolutely no way that he is only 6-1. Aiken Jr is 6-1. Weight 220--I doubt that but he is solidly built and has to weigh at least 200-205.

I sit in floor and 6 foot I have been right next to him he is not 6.3 he’s 6.1 and to be a first rounder he has to improve his shot from three and jumper.

 

[DT_PITT]

I sit in floor and 6 foot I have been right next to him he is not 6.3 he’s 6.1 and to be a first rounder he has to improve his shot from three and jumper.

He’s 6-3 as much as anyone else in the NBA is who is listed at 6-3.

They are all 6-1/2!

 

[Ronnyp91]

He’s 6-3 as much as anyone else in the NBA is who is listed at 6-3.

They are all 6-1/2!

I believe they have a new rule now that teams have to list players height accurately and without shoes (don’t quote me on part 2).

I know it was a big deal when Zion measured in at “only” 6’6.

 

[bayardstreet]

When Barkley went to the NBA from Auburn he was 6 foot 6 inches. His first year in the pros and he was suddenly 2 inches shorter.

 

[DT_PITT]

I believe they have a new rule now that teams have to list players height accurately and without shoes (don’t quote me on part 2).

I know it was a big deal when Zion measured in at “only” 6’6.

No doudt. My thought is that many 6-3 college guards are 6-1 NBA guards.

My bigger thought is that Xavier isn’t too short for the NBA.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

No doudt. My thought is that many 6-3 college guards are 6-1 NBA guards.

My bigger thought is that Xavier isn’t too short for the NBA.

Plus he’s not slight of built . His size is not an issue his shot is . Even if he just turns out to be a bench player seeing spot duty in the NBA the pays pretty good too !

 

[DT_PITT]

Plus he’s not slight of built . His size is not an issue his shot is . Even if he just turns out to be a bench player seeing spot duty in the NBA the pays pretty good too !

I can’t see why he couldn’t have a career much like TJ McConnell.

 

[Straight Eye Larry]

In what Universe is that kid 6-3 and well above 200 lbs.?

I am under the impression that X is more like 6' tall.

Probably right but he's taller than 6' even. They all lie about their height. Some go bigger. Some smaller.

KD is listed at 6'9".. the dude is 7' tall.

KG was listed at 6'10".. he was definitely 7' tall.

Harrison Barnes was listed at 6'8" last year.. he's now at 6'6"

Don't know the exact reason behind it, but I think it has to do with the position they want to be tagged to. KD want's to be an "SF".. KG wants to be a "PF", not a "C".. not that it really matters anyways.

 

[Straight Eye Larry]

Fantasy at this point. I spoke to an NBA scout I know personally and the scout had never even heard of XJ much less as a player on some potential draft list.

That being said, if XJ has a better year--particularly with his outside shooting improving a lot he could actually become a true candidate for the draft.

He must not be a very good scout.

 

[Straight Eye Larry]

I can’t see why he couldn’t have a career much like TJ McConnell.

The reason TJ is good is because he understands his limitations. Doesn't force anything. Plays hard. Makes the right play. I hate to say it, but 99% of the NBA and NBA prospects don't understand this. They're trying to be "the guy" and go out of their way to be selfish. Force shots. Take plays off.

TJ is a team guy... not many like him out there. He's unique and that's why he's stuck. Not to diminish the guy's talent.. he's obviously very talented but when he's on the floor with 9 other guys, he's more times than not the least athletic guy/least talented guy out there. Again it's not a knock on him, because he makes up for it with his hard work and playing hard every single play.

 

[Straight Eye Larry]

Scouts colleges primarily. Also scouts other NBA teams for personnel, coaching and style of play changes pre-season and early season only. Is a former NBA player and NBA assistant coach. Primarily scouts western half of U.S. and Eastern half less often so maybe that is in part why he hadn’t heard of XJ.

By the way—Doesn’t work for NY Knicks! LOL

In any event, he will no doubt be inquiring about XJ now that I mentioned him to him. And, as I said before, on this board, if XJ can get his 3-ball shooting % higher he will be a prime NBA prospect after the coming season. That is XJ’s primary weakness at this moment.

So when the Knicks take him in the lottery next year we can credit you for mentioning it to your buddy who's a scout and gets paid six figures to watch basketball?

 

[oldpantherfan]

What way people to make a positive post a negative.
Some of you never fail. Can always count on you tot say the glass is half empty. Oh was there is ice so it's less.

 

[FireballZ]

What way people to make a positive post a negative.
Some of you never fail. Can always count on you tot say the glass is half empty. Oh was there is ice so it's less.

Is this English, grumpy grandpa Goldberg?