A recent workout by Next Star AJ Johnson may have shot his name up draft boards, according to The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie.

The NBA Draft expert has the 19-year-old, who plied his trade with the Illawarra Hawks in NBL24, 29th in his most recent rankings.

“I got to see Johnson work out in Santa Barbara, Calif., recently, and it was every bit as impressive as one could have hoped,” Vecenie said. 

“Johnson’s ability to get to spots as a scorer in a fluid, on-balance manner is real. His jumper is mechanically sound, both off the catch and bounce … everything looks clean and pure enough to where Johnson should be a very high-level shooter down the road.”

Vecenie said Johnson had clearly had a growth spurt during his time in Australia, where he made 26 appearances in the NBL. 

“If he’s grown into that 6-7 range as it seems he has, it opens up many more avenues for his success. Instead of being more of a guard, it can realistically slide Johnson down to the wing at some point in his career, especially given his wingspan that appears to be something in the ballpark of 6-11.”

Johnson has drawn comparisons with Portland’s Anfernee Simons, who came into the NBA with a lighter frame, before building into a “ready-made NBA scoring guard”. 

“Simons is a bit more explosive than Johnson, but Johnson is bigger and might have a bit more potential on the defensive end,” Vecenie said. 

“Johnson is going to take time. But seeing him in-person multiple times, as well as in that pre-draft workout, it’s clear the frame was his biggest impediment to success this season. 

“Once his frame catches up to his gifts, Johnson has all the tools he needs to be this draft’s interesting high-upside swing in the late first or early second round.”

Elsewhere, Vecenie has fellow Next Star Alex Sarr as the number one overall ranked prospect, Bobi Klintman at 24, Ariel Hukporti at 56, Alex Toohey at 77, Mantas Rubstavicius at 78 and Trentyn Flowers at 93.

The NBA Draft is set to take place on June 27.

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