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Kentucky’s Dakari Johnson Impressing the Memphis Grizzlies?

By Christian Dudley

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Mar 28, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kentucky Wildcats center Dakari Johnson (44) during warm ups before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the finals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

After spending two seasons at the University of Kentucky, could Dakari Johnson be a perfect fit for the Memphis Grizzlies with the 25th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft?

By sharing time in the “platoon system” that former Memphis Tigers’ head coach and current University of Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari utilized last season with his youthful squad, Dakari Johnson did not receive a full opportunity to showcase all that he can do on the court this past NCAA season. The seven-foot, 255-pound center only averaged 15.2 minutes per game in two seasons with the Wildcats.

Now is Dakari’s chance with the pre-Draft workouts. He auditioned for the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

The Grizzlies’ General Manager, Chris Wallace, spoke highly of Dakari Johnson and provided some insight (below) into the prospect’s approach to the NBA as he looks to become a draftee on June 25th.

Johnson’s NBA Draft stock has been fluctuating recently–mostly due to which teams may be desperately in need of his services. It is looking likely that he will be selected anywhere from the middle of the first round to no later than the early portion of the second round.

DJ averaged 6.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and nearly one block per game in the 2014-15 NCAA season on 50.6% field goal shooting in 16.3 minutes per game. When calculating his per-40 statistics, these numbers equal 15.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per 40 minutes while also registering nearly two assists and one steal (per 40).

Mar 19, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats center Dakari Johnson (44) drives to the basket during the second half against the Hampton Pirates in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KFC Yum! Center. Kentucky wins 79-56. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies own the 25th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. They could already own an ideal position to select Dakari Johnson if he is truly on their radar. Sometimes general managers all across the league give false signals throughout the draft process in order to throw other teams off so that a targeted player will still be on the board when their clock starts to count downward.

However, I think this is more than just a smoke signal by the Grizzlies’ Front Office. Johnson has shown Wallace that he is ready to take on the challenge of being an NBA player and he is fully determined to make it a successful journey.

It is no secret that the Memphis Grizzlies will perhaps be in need of a few frontcourt players to round out their roster for the next season due to the team’s current list of free-agents that will have the opportunity to flea to other NBA cities/rosters. Dakari Johnson could bolster the bench and could even brighten the future of the Grizzlies’ club. The potential is present for DJ to become a solid contributor–and more–in the association.

Is Dakari the Grizzlies’ guy?

We will find out on June 25th–the date of the NBA Draft.

Would you welcome Kentucky’s Dakari Johnson in Memphis? Let us know your thoughts!

Stay tuned to Beale Street Bears for all of the latest 2015 NBA Draft news regarding your Memphis Grizzlies!

Go Grizz!

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