Scouts and pundits have always been high on Jalen Johnson, but he never had the chance to showcase his potential at Duke. Luckily for the Atlanta Hawks, he dropped 20 spots in the historic 2021 NBA Draft, giving Trae Young his co-star for the future.
After showing flashes in his first four years, he has developed into a solidified star in year five. The 24-year-old has proven to be an athletic point forward, and he is now shooting 38.2% from three. With Young sidelined by injury, his usage has increased, and the Hawks have thrived under Johnson's leadership.
They’re on a five-game winning streak and above .500 for the first time since 2022, when the Hawks were 10-6 at the beginning of the season. Johnson was named Eastern Conference Player Of The Week after averaging 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 9.3 assists. Hawks reporter Jameelah Johnson asked Jalen how it felt to win the award, to which he replied:
“Just understanding that hard work takes you places you can’t imagine & gives you opportunities you never could’ve seen…I’m very grateful & very appreciative of the award, but there’s a lot more work to do.”
It’s clear he’s risen to a new level after suffering a season-ending torn labrum last year, and the mainstream media are taking notice. Sam Vecenie of The Athletic praised the rising star on his popular podcast Game Theory with Sam Vecenie.
“Jalen Johnson is just leading the break every time down the court, and he’s an absolute freight train of downhill energy, intensity, aggression,” Vecenie said, “ Every game he’s a threat to get a triple-double, it feels like to me.”
Many predict he will become an All-Star for the first time this year, and it seems like a real possibility if Johnson remains healthy. It would be the first time the Hawks have had two All-Stars on their roster since the 2015-16 season, but Johnson will have to fight for his spot, as the East is full of star forwards.
Is Jalen Johnson a perennial All-Star?
Johnson is currently averaging 21.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 6.3 assists across 14 games. He is on pace to increase his stats even more as one of the league’s premier triple-double threats. His well-rounded game gives him an edge above most star forwards, but a major part of the All-Star selection process is team success.
In the past, rivals like Evan Mobley, Paolo Banchero, Scottie Barnes, and champion Jayson Tatum would have advantage due to their ball clubs. Now that the Hawks (9-6) are surging, Johnson has the opportunity to shine on a big stage alongside his peers.
Especially this season, since Tatum is injured and the Orlando Magic (7-7) are in disarray to begin the season. As long as the Hawks continue to win consistently, it’s highly likely he’ll join the other stars in Los Angeles come February.
When Young returns from injury, the Hawks could rise to an even higher level with the restoration of their offensive engine. Johnson & Young have worked well in the past, so we could see the pair leading their new roster to the top of the East, solidifying their spot as an All-Star duo.