The Atlanta Hawks appear to have done it again with their drafting late in the first round. When Jalen Johnson fell to Hawks at the 20th pick, they simply had to take him. While he is struggling to get minutes with the varsity squad, he is settling into a consistent time with the College Park Skyhawks.
After Johnson injured his ankle for the Skyhawks, he missed a small number of games. During that time, fellow big man Justin Tillman announced himself to the league, almost playing at the level which could have seen him signed by the varsity squad, the Atlanta Hawks.
Since he has been back, Johnson has been the most consistent of his young career. He even showed that he is entering the next stage of his development by hitting the game-winner against the Long Island Nets.
How Atlanta Hawks rookie Jalen Johnson is being more consistent.
Due to Tillman and Cat Barber breaking out as G League stars, Johnson has had to fit in with them as opposed to being the big man on campus. The Skyhawks have been playing winning basketball with these two leading the team. While this has created a problem for Sharife Cooper as his role has been taken away, it is a little easier for Johnson.
In the last three games since he has returned, Johnson has averaged 21.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 0.7 steals in 36.7 minutes per game. He has been shooting the ball well, going at 46.6 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from deep, and 71.4 percent from the line.
This all compares favorably with his season numbers of 19.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.4 steals in 35.0 minutes per game. With the exception of his 3-point percentage, he is also shooting the ball better. He is going 43.9 percent from the floor, 35.0 percent from deep, and 56.5 percent from the line.
While the Hawks may be looking to have Johnson as a long-term member of the franchise, he is going to struggle to get minutes with the main squad for the rest of the season. Until then, if he can continue to show consistency for the Skyhawks, this will benefit him in the long run.