Kansas Basketball 50 in 50, No. 27: Elijah Johnson Player Profile
by fetch9 on Oct 5, 2011 2:00 PM CDT
in Kansas Jayhawk Basketball 2011-12
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50 in 50 is a feature here at RCT counting down until the Jayhawks kick off the 2011 basketball season on November first. Got an idea for something you'd like to see featured here? tweet @rockchalktalk or @fetch9 or email me at fetch9 at gmail dot com.
Season overview: Last year Elijah Johnson solidified his role as the backup point guard, and even wrestled the starting job from Tyshawn Taylor for awhile after Taylor's suspension, leading to some fairly widespread calls that Elijah should be the starter full time. Overall, he averaged just under 14 minutes per game, and scored a career high 15 points against Oklahoma State.
What he does well: With the graduation of Brady Morningstar and Tyrel Reed, Johnson is the best outside shooter on the team. He shot 40% from behind the arc last year and posted a very good 62% eFG. Whether his on ball defense is ultimately a plus skill remains to be seen, but his steal rate is encouraging. His 20.3% assist rate was second on the team as well. Beyond tempo free stats, Johnson is extremely athletic, as seen by the number of times he was on the receiving end of alley oops. For reference, see here.
What he doesn't do well: I mentioned his high assist rate, but that is paired with an even higher turnover rate (25.3%). If we get on Tyshawn Taylor for turning the ball over, it's only fair we express concerns over Johnson's penchant for doing so as well, while having less playmaking upside than Taylor. I mentioned his jumping ability in the pros section, but for all that athleticism he's not great at getting into the lane, and that type of guard who can break down the defense will be much needed this year with a lack of go to scoring options. He only shot 67% from the line last year, but it was also in only 15 attempts so don't read anything into it.
Season outlook: This is a potential make or break season for the former five star recruit. He'll probably back up Tyshawn at the point but I think he'll see quite a bit of time at the off guard, and will probably be a starter. Because of his limited playing time so far, his potential outcomes range from basically what he did last year to Brady Morningstar with a higher usage rate and double the athletic ability. And before you laugh, look at these stats and realize that Morningstar with a higher usage rate is one of the best guards in the country.
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Scoring from outside
. . . should be adequate with Johnson, Taylor and Releford with backup from whichever frosh earn time on the court. Defense will be the determining factor on who starts and how much each plays – as it always is and should be.
Watching Brady and Tyrel burn the rubber chasing down off-the-ball shooters is how I will remember 2010-11. No two guards in the country were harder to screen off their assignment.
RRROOOOCK CHAAAALLLK! JAAAAYYYHAAAAWWWK! KAAAAYYY UUuuuUU!
EJ has earned this chance, and I fully expect him to take total advantage of it.
The kid has been a model Jayhawk since his recruitment, really (anybody else remember him repping the Crimson and Blue at a HS all star game in Louisville to a chorus of boos?). It will be interesting to see if he or Tyshawn become the primary ball handler. For now, my money’s on Elijah, because Taylor has too many dumb turnovers for HCBS’s taste.
The more I think about it, the more I come to believe that this season comes down to what we can get from Withey. T-Rob will be a beast down low; perimeter scoring shouldn’t be a huge concern, as KU62 noted. But if Jeff can become the ideal high post guy for Self’s high/low offense, it will simply take us to another level. It’s dangerous to pin your hopes on someone that has never shown an ability to stay healthy. But if Withey can become similar to, say, David Padgett (at Louisville), we could have another contender on our hands. If his body betrays him once again, I’m not sure we can win the league.
R.I.P. DOM
by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Oct 5, 2011 5:31 PM CDT reply actions
My question with Johnson has always been whether he can stay focused long enough to be a main contributor.
Athletically he’s there. But he has made his share of random turnovers/leaving the wrong guy on defense to make me hesitant right now, also get that same feeling coming from the coaching staff.
Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
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