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BORN: 01/03/2000
LAST TEAM: Southern Illinois Salukis (NCAA)
HEIGHT: 184 cm
WEIGHT: 86 kg
PRO
- Scoring ability
- Space creation
- 3pt improvements
WEAKNESSES
- Defensive focus
- Turnovers
- Fouls management
VIDEO
INTRODUCTION: Xavier Johnson is a point guard who began his college career at George Mason, transferring after 3 years to the Southern Illinois Salukis. Johnson is one of the surprises of this college basketball season, even named to the 2023-24 Lute Olson Award Mid-Season Watch List. This is because, in his three seasons at George Mason, he averaged 6.0 points, while in his last season at SIU, he averaged 7.0 points. This season, he has literally exploded, averaging 22.2 points with 6.1 assists.
Offensively, he has deadly crossovers and hesitations, allowing him to both create space and beat his defender. He is quick and impactful, often finishing at the rim (despite being 184 cm tall) thanks to an explosive first step. He has an excellent three-point shot that he can create off the dribble (36.8% on 5.8 attempts per game). At the beginning of his career, he shot only 25%, but in the last two seasons, he has been shooting 37%-42%. He releases/passes the ball with extreme ease (sometimes too much – averaging 3.3 turnovers), both with his right and left hand. Despite being the only player in double figures for SIU, he tries to involve his teammates. Overall, he is one of the best scorers in the nation; this season, he has already scored over 30 points six times.
Defensively, he could apply himself more. He alternates, even within the same possession, moments of high defensive intensity with some lapses (such as losing visual-contact with his opponent). Surely, he is not helped by his 184 cm height.
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