Many were surprised when Keldon Johnson fell to the San Antonio Spurs late in the first round of the 2019 Draft. The former SEC Freshman of the Year was a projected lottery pick but his slide to the Spurs is looking like a blessing in disguise through his first year in the NBA.
Following in the tradition of Spurs rookies before him, Johnson spent the majority of his rookie season playing with the Austin Spurs. He averaged 20 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and a steal per game on a team-leading 30 minutes per night. He was one of the most active players on the court, frequently diving for loose balls and throwing himself into the teeth of the defense.