Rivals.com Scouts Brian Johnson

Background:

Brian Johnson is a well developed 6-foot-9, 238-pound power forward from Bishop O' Connell High School in Glenarden, Maryland.

The No. 23 ranked player and No. 9 ranked power forward in the Rivals150 currently lists North Carolina, Louisville, Notre Dame, and Florida as his top four schools.

Meyer's Analysis:

Strengths- Johnson's versatility as a scorer makes him very difficult to guard. He is best in the low post with his back to the basket with his combination of strength, athleticism, and skill. He is strong enough to get position, athletic enough to elevate over defenders, and has an array of post moves that allow him to get clean looks at the basket.

Johnson’s go-to-move in the post is a power dribble one way with a quick spin the other way. If this combination of moves does not free him up, he will then shot fake and step through the defender. His ability to string these moves together with power and finesse and the fact that he can go either direction with the moves makes defending Johnson in the post a very difficult task.

Johnson can also step out to the perimeter and score. He is a tremendous threat setting the high ball screen because he can either pick and roll or pick and pop. His catch and shoot from the mid-range is very consistent, and he is extending his range to past the three point line. When pressured, he can put it on the floor with a quick first step, most often with his right hand.

Defensively, Johnson can guard on the perimeter and in the post. He plays in a stance and maintains position by moving his feet. In a match up against No. 1 center in the Rivals150 Al Jefferson during the Nike Camp, Johnson kept the bigger Jefferson from muscling to the basket and blocked his shot twice.

When the shot goes up, Johnson plays blue collar, fundamental basketball at its best. He marks his man with a physical block out and relentlessly pursues the ball. Then, most impressively, he lands on every rebound ready to snap a quick outlet pass up the floor.

Weaknesses- Johnson does not have any glaring weaknesses as a power forward. He could certainly improve his ball handling and passing. Although an excellent finisher, Johnson is not as adept at creating plays by driving the ball and hitting open teammates. He, also, can improve his consistency from behind the three point line and on the mid-range pull up jumper.

Wrap up:

Johnson’s versatility as a scorer and defender along with his hard working, blue collar approach to the game make him stand out as a player. If he can improve the small forward elements of his game mentioned above, he will be the ultimate inside/outside threat with a truly complete game. Based on his athletic body control and on how well he performs what he already does well, the odds are good that he will achieve his upside rating by expanding his skills during the next few years.

Rivals.com Scouting Rating Index:

Rivals.com gives Brian Johnson a rating of 5.7 / 6.0 (PR / UR). For information on the Rivals.com Rating Scouting Index click the Rivals Rating Index link.