Film Room: Keshad Johnson

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film-room-keshad-johnson — Photo by Brett Wilhelm | NCAA Photos via Getty Images

While it seems like the transfer portal is buzzing all around us, the Kentucky Wildcats have remained mostly quiet. Aside from throwing their hats into the Hunter Dickinson sweepstakes, the ‘Cats haven’t been too seriously tied to anyone so far. However, Keshad Johnson begins his visit to Lexington on Wednesday, May 10th. So, who is Keshad Johnson? That is exactly what we are here to discuss.

A 6’7″ 225 pound forward from Oakland, California, Johnson blossomed into a two-year starter for the San Diego State Aztecs. Admittedly, the statistics are not going to jump off the page. He averaged 7.2 and 7.7 points per game respectively in his two seasons as a starter. However, as a senior, he was a key piece for the Aztecs as they won 32 games and advanced to the national championship game. His willingness to grow in his role, wait his turn, and then excel in his role is how you end up overachieving and playing for a title. Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and USC are the other schools vying for his services as a graduate transfer.

For Kentucky fans clamoring for more shooting, Johnson will not be the answer. He was a career 28-114 three-point shooter, 24.6%, at San Diego State. Johnson has never surpassed 65% at the free throw line either. However, after finishing 68th in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency, the second worst number in the Coach Calipari era, his elite defensive versatility could be just what the Wildcats are looking to add. While his defensive prowess is most exciting, there are areas of his game to like offensively as well. Johnson is excellent in transition, finishes at a very high level around the rim, and is an above-average offensive rebounder. We will dive into all of that further as we step inside the KSR Film Room and breakdown San Diego State transfer Keshad Johnson.

Versatile Defender With Elite Traits

What should excite Kentucky fans the most is Keshad Johnson’s ability on the defensive end of the floor. He can effectively switch one through five which will prove invaluable in ballscreen coverage. At 6’7″, Johnson has the length to disrupt the passing lanes and block shots on the drive. There are also flashes of elite-level athleticism when he is closing down from behind a play or going to win a tough 50-50 ball. Similar to his game offensively, the counting stats aren’t going to wow you with Johnson. He averaged just half a steal and half a block per game last season. However, he is going to be in position and between the ball and the basket forcing contested jump shots. Expect Johnson to immediately become Kentucky’s most versatile, and quite possibly best, defender.

This is the perfect example of what Keshad Johnson brings to the defensive end of the floor. He communicates the switch on a downhill handoff, quickly closes the gap from behind on the roll, and then meets the opposing five-man at the rim for a highlight reel blocked shot. For context, that is a 7’1″ center that he just swatted at 6’7″. It takes some pretty real athleticism and physical traits to be able to make a play like you see in this clip.

It wouldn’t be considered a hot take to argue that Brandon Miller was the most talented offensive player in the country last season. However, in the Sweet 16, the Alabama freshman was held to just nine points on 3-19 shooting against the Aztecs. None of those points came with Keshad Johnson as he primary defender either. When Johnson was in the game his primary responsibility was locking up the National Freshman of the Year and he did just that. Here you see him cut off Miller’s right hand drive off of the ghost screen which leads to a steal and alley-oop dunk on the other end.

Johnson’s long arms allow him to be disruptive as a help defender without having to fully commit to the ball handler. On this drive he was able to remain in his gap while sticking out a long left arm to get his hand on the ball. Once again, his defense led to offense as he threw it down with two hands on the fast break.

San Diego State completely swallowed up Jahvon Quinerly in the Sweet 16. The Alabama guard was just 4-13 from the field against their length and athleticism. When he wasn’t taking away Brandon Miller, Keshad Johnson was making plays on Quinerly as well. Johnson switches onto the point guard in this clip and blocks the shot from behind.

Offensive Slasher and Driver

You don’t bring in Keshad Johnson to be a go-to scorer. He isn’t going to improve your three-point shooting or overall playmaking. However, he will accept and flourish in his role as he did last season for the national runner-up. Johnson has proven himself as an athletic slasher and right-hand driver over the years. He averaged a career-best 7.7 points per game and shot 59.1% from two-point range. In four of his five posted used play types (cut, transition, post-up, offensive rebound), Johnson rated either “very good” or “excellent” per Synergy. That is the definition of becoming a star in your role.

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If you aren’t going to space the floor, then you better become a good cutter. Keshad Johnson has done that over the course of his four years in college basketball. He scored 1.333 points per possession on 71.4% field goal shooting as a cutter last season. When opposing defenses don’t pay attention to him due to his lack of shooting ability, Johnson is going to slash to the basket for dunks like this.

Opponent scouting reports are going to focus on closing out short to Johnson. While that is the right gameplan, there can be downsides to it as well. Johnson has gotten pretty good at one or two dribble drives to his right hand where he can use his size and athleticism to finish. What the defense sees as a short closeout is really just a free runway to the rim for the ball handler.

All transfers to Kentucky must be evaluated through the lens of how they make the incoming freshman better. While Johnson won’t space the floor in the traditional sense, that doesn’t mean he can’t fit with the talent playmakers on the perimeter. He is a “connector”, comfortable in handoff and ballscreening action, and can effectively roll to the rim. Johnson is very good on the slip as well. Around the rim, his athleticism and strength allow him to finish through contact.

High Upside in Transition

One area where Keshad Johnson really jumps out on film is in transition. His mixture of size, mobility, and athleticism makes him the perfect floor-runner on the fast break. He can catch it on the throw ahead on the wing, rim-run, or finish as the trailer slashing to the basket for a dunk. Once again, this is an area where he will fit nicely with the incoming recruiting class. If you view Johnson as a very high level replacement for Chris Livingston then it is hard to not view this potential addition as a home run.

Playing four guys who can all shoot might be considered “modern basketball.” However, playing four guys who can effectively run the floor and score in transition can be valuable as well. That is an area where Johnson will excel right away. If the influx of playmaking from the freshman class leads to the ‘Cats playing faster, Johnson will likely be a beneficiary of that up-tempo style. Look here at how he runs ahead of the defense and then throws down the contest dunk.

Keshad Johnson is excellent at filling the wings in transition and then exploding to the rim. Here he catches the ball at the volleyball line and gets to the rim in one dribble. When you can outlet the ball to your three or four man and he is comfortable enough to go score it you have a chance to play really fast. Johnson would help the ‘Cats increase their tempo next season.