In the last five years or so, there have been a steady trend of American NBA draft prospects venturing not just across the pond but beyond to the far reaches of the globe to measure their skillsets against the pros — as opposed to the NCAA. Across this year’s draft, that number has seemingly skyrocketed. Today’s prospect, 19-year-old guard A.J. Johnson, is one of the latest prospects to try their hand at Australia’s NBL as a means to their development prior to the NBA draft.
Hailing from California, the 6-foot-5 inch Johnson (represented by Billy Duffy, who also reps Luka Doncic, Scottie Barnes and other NBA players) made the decision to venture to Australia with the Illawarra Hawks — the same team that helped showcase LaMelo Ball’s talents — where, despite Johnson’s talent, he didn’t see a lot of game-time in his first professional season of basketball straight from high school.