Arizona basketball commit Stanley Johnson scored seven points in helping his USA team to a 84-73 win against the World Select squad at the Nike Hoops Summit, and five of those points came from the foul stripe. He grabbed three rebounds and struggled by going 1-for-6 from the floor, but the impressing was already done with in team practices and scrimmages over the week leading into the ESPN-televised game.
NBA Draft Insider Kris Habbas asked Team USA coach Mike Jones about Johnson in his podcast, and from what it seems, the Wildcats shouldn't expect much of a drop-off when Aaron Gordon decides to leave for the NBA officially.
"Stanley Johnson is one of the best defenders I've ever been around," Jones said. "You can talk about (Arizona target) Myles (Turner) being 7-feet tall and saying he's going to be a pro and things like that, and not to take away anything from anybody else, but Stanley Johnson is an elite defender. He's going to have a long NBA career. He's so strong and so long and moves his feet so well, he's very smart. I think he'll play this game a very long time."
Johnson physically impressed as well. While he's not the elite rebounder that Gordon is, or the freak athlete, he measured out as a 6-foot-7, 237 pound player with a 6-foot-11 wingspan who is physically ready for the NCAA. Think of him as a young Ron Artest, a versatile guy who can guard from the 1-4 positions in college.
Check out more Nike Hoop Summit coverage from NBA Draft Insider. And here's a look at the final box score.
Final Box: @nikehoopsummit pic.twitter.com/jNxtFP1wJZ
— Kristofer Habbas (@NBADraftInsider) April 13, 2014