Xavier Johnson

[President Stache]

I re-watched that Wake game (I have no idea why I did that), but god bless the kid is good. He knows his angles around the hoop, those crazy @ss shots seem to always go in. I wish he did more of them really, he couldnt be guarded that game.

I really do think he could be leaving us as our best PG ever, certainly our most dynamic, and he has a lot of competition for that.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I re-watched that Wake game (I have no idea why I did that), but god bless the kid is good. He knows his angles around the hoop, those crazy @ss shots seem to always go in. I wish he did more of them really, he couldnt be guarded that game.

I really do think he could be leaving us as our best PG ever, certainly our most dynamic, and he has a lot of competition for that.

I just hope its not too soon. If he has a big year next year, I'm afraid he may think he's ready.

 

[President Stache]

I just hope its not too soon. If he has a big year next year, I'm afraid he may think he's ready.

He may be as ready as he ever will be, but his size makes it not as transferable to the NBA unless he really develops his outside shot, like a Kemba Walker type. I think he will be here 3 years

 

[X2win]

I just hope its not too soon. If he has a big year next year, I'm afraid he may think he's ready.

That's fine. Capel takes a 3 star combo guard and turns him into an all american point guard that made the NBA in 2 or 3 years. You know how much that could change our future guard recruiting? Thats exactly what kids want to see. And the fact Johnson wasnt highly rated makes it even better. You dont think guards we recruit would listen more closely to Capel if that happened? I do.

 

[Pittx9]

That's fine. Capel takes a 3 star combo guard and turns him into an all american point guard that made the NBA in 2 or 3 years. You know how much that could change our future guard recruiting? Thats exactly what kids want to see. And the fact Johnson wasnt highly rated makes it even better. You dont think guards we recruit would listen more closely to Capel if that happened? I do.

I agree. I’m kinda wondering why none of these bigs seem to be interested in Pitt right now though. Aside from immediate playing time, do kids not know Capel recruited and coached Blake Griffin in college? It’s not like the guy has no track record at all to look at.

 

[lilspainishflea]

I just hope its not too soon. If he has a big year next year, I'm afraid he may think he's ready.

IMO, he doesn't have the physical tools (Westbrook, Ben Simmons) or outside shooting (Curry) to be a lottery pick right now. Most of the best PGs played at least 2 (Lowry, Chris Paul) if not 3 (Kemba Walker). It's just so hard to go from college to an NBA point guard in today's league. And if you aren't going to be a lottery pick as a true freshman, you're better off doing at least 2, maybe 3, years. We're seriously lucky he isn't 2 inches taller because he could be gone otherwise.

XJ reminds me the most of Kemba Walker. He's a strong contender to be Pitt's best PG in many years. And I do think he will have a good NBA career eventually. I just hope we get him some help inside so he isn't in quite a rush to get out.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

He may be as ready as he ever will be, but his size makes it not as transferable to the NBA unless he really develops his outside shot, like a Kemba Walker type. I think he will be here 3 years

Yea, thats what I fear. He's a short guard, so how much will his stock improve? He reminds me a lot of Trey Burke (made it), Dominic James (didnt make it), and Tony Carr (didnt make it). I think if he becomes a consistent 3 point shooter, he can land on the bottom of someone's roster but its so tough.

 

[X2win]

Yea, thats what I fear. He's a short guard, so how much will his stock improve? He reminds me a lot of Trey Burke (made it), Dominic James (didnt make it), and Tony Carr (didnt make it). I think if he becomes a consistent 3 point shooter, he can land on the bottom of someone's roster but its so tough.

X is shooting 40% from 3

Dominic Jamesand Carr were bad shooters. Carr was an overall 39% shooter in general. Burke was a quality shooter and was the AP player of the year. Johnson isnt that good, yet. Johnson is far better than Dominic James and Tony Carr as a true freshmen.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

X is shooting 40% from 3

Dominic Jamesand Carr were bad shooters. Carr was an overall 39% shooter in general. Burke was a quality shooter and was the AP player of the year. Johnson isnt that good, yet. Johnson is far better than Dominic James and Tony Carr as a true freshmen.

Johnson has to shoot more volume. He passes up too many open looks and has to make better decisions. And James and Carr had great FR years, I wouldnt say X is far better. He's right there with them.

 

[lilspainishflea]

X is shooting 40% from 3

Dominic Jamesand Carr were bad shooters. Carr was an overall 39% shooter in general. Burke was a quality shooter and was the AP player of the year. Johnson isnt that good, yet. Johnson is far better than Dominic James and Tony Carr as a true freshmen.

He's 40% on 76 attempts. He needs to do it in volume. Guys like Collin Sexton and Markelle Fultz did 40% on 130+ attempts. Trae Young was 36% on 330 attempts. Dennis Smith was 36% on 153 attempts.

 

[jrnPitt]

He may be as ready as he ever will be, but his size makes it not as transferable to the NBA unless he really develops his outside shot, like a Kemba Walker type. I think he will be here 3 years

He's transferable to Europe right now. I hope his family doesn't need the money.

 

[rockypanther]

X has to develop a short range game. A pull up or floater. And needs to improve his stroke. His percentage is decent but his release is way to low and slow. He wouldn’t have time to get it off in the NBA as is.

I see no resemblance to Kemba. I might say a little Kyrie only because of his body control and ability to finish. He will get better. But the NBA is a whole different level than the ACC.

 

[rockypanther]

X has to develop a short range game. A pull up or floater. And needs to improve his stroke. His percentage is decent but his release is way to low and slow. He wouldn’t have time to get it off in the NBA as is.

I see no resemblance to Kemba. I might say a little Kyrie only because of his body control and ability to finish. He will get better. But the NBA is a whole different level than the ACC.

I do think X could become an excellent passer and end up over 10 assists a game soon at Pitt if he had anybody who could catch a pass. Seriously.

 

[X2win]

X has to develop a short range game. A pull up or floater. And needs to improve his stroke. His percentage is decent but his release is way to low and slow. He wouldn’t have time to get it off in the NBA as is.

I see no resemblance to Kemba. I might say a little Kyrie only because of his body control and ability to finish. He will get better. But the NBA is a whole different level than the ACC.

When walker was a sophomore at Uconn, his stats and Johnsons are basically identical in every single category. That,and they both have a very fast first step and blow by defenders all game long

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

He's 40% on 76 attempts. He needs to do it in volume. Guys like Collin Sexton and Markelle Fultz did 40% on 130+ attempts. Trae Young was 36% on 330 attempts. Dennis Smith was 36% on 153 attempts.

Definitely needs to shoot more 3s and hit them consistently. Tony Carr shot 43% on 215 3s and is in Europe.

 

[lilspainishflea]

X has to develop a short range game. A pull up or floater. And needs to improve his stroke. His percentage is decent but his release is way to low and slow. He wouldn’t have time to get it off in the NBA as is.

I do agree on his 3 point form. I don't see it as viable in the NBA. Also agree that he needs more mid-range stuff. Unless he becomes a consensus All-ACC player next year, I'm confident he will not leave for the NBA Draft in 2020.

 

[jpklein]

He reminds me of De’Aaron Fox

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Let me heap a different type of praise on Xavier-

He’s actually using his penetration to pass the past couple days .

He’s improving in becoming a play maker -
Which isn’t a small thing .

 

[Fsgolfdr]

He’s not ready for the NBA , he’s a great freshman college bb player with a huge upside .

 

[NCanton Panther]

X has to develop a short range game. A pull up or floater. And needs to improve his stroke. His percentage is decent but his release is way to low and slow. He wouldn’t have time to get it off in the NBA as is.

I see no resemblance to Kemba. I might say a little Kyrie only because of his body control and ability to finish. He will get better. But the NBA is a whole different level than the ACC.

I agree with just about everything you say here. I don’t see the resemblance to Kemba, not as good of an outside shot or short/midrange game. Agree on his 3-pt shot being to low and slow. Also see more of a resemblance to Kyrie with his body control and ability off the glass.

 

[X2win]

I agree with just about everything you say here. I don’t see the resemblance to Kemba, not as good of an outside shot or short/midrange game. Agree on his 3-pt shot being to low and slow. Also see more of a resemblance to Kyrie with his body control and ability off the glass.

Kemba Walker made 8 three balls total as a freshmen. Walker made 38 3 balls total as a sophomore. He was a 27% 3 point shooter as a freshmen, and a 33% shooter from 3 as a sophomore.

Johnson is shooting 40% from 3 for the season and already played the toughest part of the schedule. Johnson has already made 30 3's this year. Johnson is ahead of Kemba Walker was when Walker was a sophomore.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Kemba Walker made 8 three balls total as a freshmen. Walker made 38 3 balls total as a sophomore. He was a 27% 3 point shooter as a freshmen, and a 33% shooter from 3 as a sophomore.

Johnson is shooting 40% from 3 for the season and already played the toughest part of the schedule. Johnson has already made 30 3's this year. Johnson is ahead of Kemba Walker was when Walker was a sophomore.

Let’s hope he leads Pitt to a national championship too !

 

[Jeffburgh]

I re-watched that Wake game (I have no idea why I did that), but god bless the kid is good. He knows his angles around the hoop, those crazy @ss shots seem to always go in. I wish he did more of them really, he couldnt be guarded that game.

I really do think he could be leaving us as our best PG ever, certainly our most dynamic, and he has a lot of competition for that.

One of his best games all season, he was pretty under control and was mad dishing.

Darn shame he had so little support, wasted a great game.

 

[mo cheeks]

XJ was incredible against Wake. Almost played a perfect game. He should have had 5 more assists if our bigs could finish. He made several good/great passes that should have been easy layups. If I were him, I would think twice about making that pass next time.

I loved brandin Knight. This kid is way ahead of we’re Knight was as a freshman and has a chance to be first team Acc in the future. Have to think he will be first team freshman in acc.