It is safe to say that the Indiana Pacers’ season did not go as originally planned. With the season-ending injury of Victor Oladipo and the suspension of Tyreke Evens, this team looks to gain some momentum. This momentum could be rooted in the franchise’s first-round pick. At No. 18, Indiana has a prime opportunity to land North Carolina’s Cameron Johnson.
At 6’9,” Johnson is a big man going into a league where big men dominate. Some say that his weight and build is not enough to command the post. This being said, he is 23 and has come off one of the best seasons of his college career. He is well-rounded defender as well as one of the top praised three-point shooters in this year’s draft class. This past year with the Tar Heels, Johnson averaged 16.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. These statistics earned him a First Team All-ACC spot.
His size, mixed with his ability to use it to rebound, combined with his shoot percentages makes him a valuable asset to the young Pacers roster. He shot 50 % from the field as well as 45.7 % from the three-point line. This is higher than both James Harden and Stephen Curry. Cameron Johnson is definitely one to keep an eye on this season. He may just show out his rookie year.