Kansas' Elijah Johnson Hoping For Breakout Season in '12-'13

        Jayhawk fans cannot be excited by the losses of Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor, the team's two most electrifying players last season, but up-and-coming seniors Jeff Withey and Elijah Johnson showed glimpses of their potential during a stellar 2012 NCAA Tournament campaign. Withey, the long and lean center, set a new record for blocked shots in the Tournament. Johnson scored in double-figures all five games and shot the ball exceptionally well during the run.

        With his size (6'4"), athleticism and ability to play both backcourt spots, Johnson is hoping to audition for the NBA in his senior year; he's in luck because scouts will be watching the senior in what's already being labeled as a weak point guard draft. He is an NBA caliber athlete with very good size and showed some serious glimpses that scouts love like his ability to run the pick-and-roll (and there should be plenty of opportunities with Withey in the mix) and knock down shots from the perimeter. Johnson isn't afraid to be a physical defender or mix-it-up on the glass. If he can give a consistent effort (and answer some of his off-the-court concerns), he should hear his name called at some point of next year's first-round.


By President Corey Ruff - 4 - 19 - 12