Tap here to get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class leading up to the NBA draft, which takes place on June 25 in Brooklyn.
There's something to be said for knowing a part and executing that specific role effectively, upside be damned.
That's what teams may be thinking when Dakari Johnson's name comes up in draft discussions. Johnson has averaged fewer than 17 minutes in each of the last two seasons at Kentucky, relegated to backup and even third-string duty at center thanks to the team's embarrassment of riches. Despite modest production and a limited role, there's a chance Johnson's the third Kentucky center off the board in the first round on June 25. Size is size, after all, and capable players at the pivot, even backups, are hard to come by.
Relevant Background
| Position | DraftExpress Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/ Shoes | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 48 | 30 | 6' 11.75" | 265 |
| Wingspan | Standing Reach | Max Vertical (in.) | Hand Length (in.) | Body Fat % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7' 2" | 9' 4" | 25.0 | 9.25 | 14.9% |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | BPG | FG% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 6.4 | 4.6 | 0.9 | 50.6% | 62.5% |
| 2013-14 | 5.2 | 3.9 | 0.6 | 56.9% | 44.7% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Johnson's huge. He's a big, big dude, and that's why teams see him as a likely backup center. At nearly 7-feet, 265 pounds and with the second-longest reach at the combine, few players in the class can boast an NBA-ready body like Johnson can. He uses that size well, playing physically in the paint and battling for rebounds. It also allows him to establish post position, and while it's unlikely he'll see too many touches at the next level, he's a quality passer from the block. His offensive game remains raw and based primarily on garbage points, but his rebounding ability helps create those opportunities.
Weaknesses: Another area Johnson was near the top of at the combine was body fat percentage, a somewhat archaic measurement but one that backs up concerns about his conditioning, especially since the combine is when a player's expected to be in peak condition. Combine that with somewhat underwhelming athleticism and below-average shot-blocking instincts, and it's little surprise that teams don't see a ton of upside here.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
There's a very good chance Johnson falls out of the first round entirely, something both ESPN and DraftExpress predict in their latest official mocks. But several teams picking in the 20s need immediate help and don't have to swing for the fences - a capable rotation player would do just fine. With other big men in the 25-40 range representing longer-term upside plays, Johnson's potential to play 15 unspectacular but reliable minutes off the bench may be deemed attractive. It's not sexy and there's not great evidence he'll succeed, even in that role, but size like this is tough to combine and still has a place, even in the modern NBA.
