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NBA Draft’s potential Celtics: Purdue F JaJuan Johnson 06.22.11 at 11:12 am ET
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Purdue's JaJuan Johnson has a 7-2 wingspan on his 6-10 frame. (AP)

WEEI.com continues to provide daily insight and analysis on the 2011 NBA draft. This is one in a series of profiles of players who might be available for the Celtics to select with one of their two picks (25th and 55th overall).

JaJuan Johnson

Position: Forward

School: Purdue

Height: 6-foot-10

Weight: 220 pounds

Stats: 20.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.3 bpg

What he brings: One of the better athletes in this year’s draft class, Johnson is an impressive leaper who excels in the open court. He is an above-the-rim player and scores a lot of his points on dunks.

Already tall for 6-10, Johnson brings a 7-2 wingspan and excellent shot-blocking ability. He also appears to have put on 5-10 pounds of muscle since finishing his senior year. Johnson has an adequate jumper and can knock down open shots. He will have to put in extra work to extend his range to the NBA 3-point line.

He needs to improve on his post game. Though he has developed a right-handed hook, Johnson is much more threatening with the ball driving towards the rim than in the low post.

Where the Celtics could get him: First round

What they’re saying: “He’s come a long way. He started out as just a skinny kid that could jump. Now he can score. He can rebound. He can block shots. He’s improved every part of his game.”  Illinois center Mike Tisdale

Notes: Johnson was a 2011 consensus first team All-American, the Big Ten Player of the Year and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He also won the Pete Newell Big Man Award.

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPzSTWi_jd4&feature=fvsr

Read More: 2011 NBA Draft, JaJuan Johnson, Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • patriotmarty12

    I love this pick I puked in my mouth when they picked M Brooks with the 25th pick thank God they traded that loser.

  • Huh?

    Um… headline says C’s take JaJuan Johnson at 27. The took Marshon Brooks at 25, no?

  • deano

    they took brooks at 25
    the nets took Jujuan at 27

    they then swapped picks and the nets threw in a 2nd rounder in the future

  • Chucksta

    KG and Jerome will really help in this kid’s development.

  • bags

    who is jerome? come on chucksta, ya gotta at least get dudes name right, it’s jermaine- i think jajuan is more likely gonna be dleague material with an eye to the future rather than contribute this year, maybe he surprises me, but 220 lbs as a ctr. is petit by nba stds

  • Jim

    Good pick!!!!!! Now we will see who we get for a free agent.

  • Kyle

    Boston fans let me be the first to say as a Purdue graduate and Johnson fan you will absolutely love him and the game he will bring to your team. In four years he has added 30lbs to his frame and developed his game tremendously.
    In the short term he will be able to instantly upgrade your team defensively and be able to provide some solid minutes on the offensive end. After watching him play at Purdue for the last 4 years I doubt if he will be able to add any more weight to his frame and because of that I don’t think he will ever play in the post. However I do believe with the teaching of your coaches and veteran players he has the chance to develop into a tweener 4. He has already made great strides to his outside game and dribble drive game.
    If nothing else the picks of Johnson and more recently Moore will upgrade your team defensively. Not only that but both players will come into your camp with a hard working team first mentality that should help your team for years down the road. Hell for what it is worth you just converted a life long Pacers fan over to the Big Green Machine. (not that you care).

  • celticsfan

    @bags you are pretty stupid to say that, Johnson will be a great offensive and defensive player in the celtics system…

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