JaJuan Johnson, PF

The steady progression of Johnson's offensive game, along with ability to play any front court position has seen the Boilermaker's draft stock continue to rise. The athletic forward has outstanding quickness on the open floor. His consistency from the field and at the charity stripe are evident, helping him develop an all-around game. He has also taken advantage of his excellent wing span, leaping ability and body control to dominant in the paint, where he ranked with the nation's leaders as a shot blocker.

Even though he's seen most of his playing time at the power forward and center position, many evaluators project that Johnson will have better success as an NBA small forward. With his lean frame, he might not be able to "pound away" with the bigger opponents at the next level, but he is very quick off his feet and has developed an efficient jump hook shot, along with expanding his range, which allowed the Boilermaker to step back and develop a mid-range repertoire to force opponents to come out of the paint to defend him.

A member of the Indiana All-Star Team that featured future National Basketball Association players, Eric Gordon and Jeff Teague during his playing days at Franklin Central High School, Johnson was rated the 41st-best player in the country by Rivals.com as a senior. That year, he averaged 20.6 points, 9.1 boards and 4.3 blocks per game.

Johnson committed to Purdue University to play under head coach Matt Painter as part of a top five recruiting class, along with Robbie Hummel, E'Twaun Moore and Scott Martin. He averaged 5.4 points and 3.1 rebounds a game, while starting in 17 of the 34 games in which he appeared in during his freshman season. He helped the Boilermakers to a second straight NCAA Tournament appearance, where his best performance of the season came vs. Baylor in the first round, as he had ten points, two blocks and eight rebounds in 20 minutes.

During his sophomore season, Johnson showed marked improvement, as he went on to average 13.4 points (second on team) and lead the Big Ten Conference with 2.2 blocks a game. He was named first-team All-Big Ten, as well as to being selected to the league's All-Defensive team. He led the conference, shooting 54 percent from the field, and his 78 blocked shots ranked third on the school season-record list while leading Purdue to its first Big Ten Tournament Championship and was named to the all-tournament team and helped lead them to a Sweet Sixteen appearance.

Johnson considered entering the 2009 NBA Draft, but made a verbal commitment to return for the junior year. He ended up earning All-Big Ten Conference second-team honors and Defensive All-Big Ten first-team honors. He went on to average 31.3 minutes, 15.4 points (third on team), 7.3 rebounds, and one steal per game. He shot 71.8% at the line, while leading the top-ten ranked Purdue squad with 2.06 blocks per game, shooting 50.7% from the floor. He also blocked 72 shots, increasing his career total to 184 deflections, second-best in school annals.

As a senior, the consensus-All American was named the Big Ten Player of the Year, as well as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He registered a career-high 79 blocks and averaged 8.6 rebounds per game in 2010-11. He also became the first Boilermaker to be given the Pete Newell Big Man Award, an award given to the year's best big man. Johnson

averaged 20.5 points (first on team), 8.6 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, shot 49.4% from the floor and 80.9% from the line.

Johnson closed out his career leading Purdue to a 26-8 record and a second place finish in conference play, en route to becoming the school's first consensus-All American since Glenn Robinson and seventeenth overall. Among active players, he is the only one in the nation with career numbers of more than 1,900 points, 850 rebounds, and 250 blocks.

Positives: While he declared for the draft after both his sophomore and junior seasons, he was smart enough to realize his game was not yet "ready for prime time" and wisely returned to school … Thrives on the open floor, thanks to his quickness, body control, leaping ability and length … Might be a better fit at the three-forward spot (only if he develops a mid-range game), as his above mention athletic skills will create mismatches vs. the smaller forwards … Still needs to add bulk to his lanky frame, but the additional 15 pounds prior to his senior campaign saw him increase his performance as a shooter (15.4 ppg as a junior to 20.53 last year), rebounder (7.1 to 8.6 rpg), shot blocker (2.0 to 2.32 bpg) and draw contact better to get to the foul line (71.8% to 80.9% success rate) … Despite limited offensive creativity, he developed better confidence in his right-hand hook shot and showed good ability to execute his fade-away jumper over either shoulder when getting in the post … His jumper is slowly developing into a good "money shot," as he not only used his leaping ability, but also a much higher release point to fire up and over even the tallest of defenders … Still likes to get inside and dunk the ball or flip in a cute alley-oop, but with his quick feet, fluid change of direction and length, he has shown good improvement stepping back and creating space to get off his jumper … Has a good ball handle, which coupled with his improved range, he had much better success driving into the lanes as a senior than he did in the past … Even though he will get pushed out by bigger forwards when trying to establish position underneath, he has good second-hop agility, long arms and a nice concept for angling, which allow him to slip under and get a fair share of rebounds (had at least 200 in each of his last three years) … With his explosive leaping ability and impressive 7'2" wingspan, he has become one of the school's all-time leaders in blocked shots (263 in 140 games) … Won't overpower his man as a defender, but he uses his length and quickness to provide very good help from the weak side and that reach of his has made him a very effective thief defending on the pick-&-roll … As a spot-up shooter, his increased bulk gives him adequate power driving to the basket to draw contact and he's had very good success converting at the free throw line (career mark of 74.3%, including 80.9% last year) … Has developed confidence in his ability to connect with his jumper, forcing the defense out of the paint to pressure him … Still a work in progress creating his shot coming off screens, but shows no hesitation firing the ball up and over a face-up defender … Very quick with his feet in transition and while he is not that creative, he does a good job of making the most of his shooting opportunities and will not force the ball just for the sake of getting the ball off … Nimble enough to find the open areas on the floor to get his shot off … Better defender along the perimeter than in the paint … Contorts his body and makes good adjustments shooting in tight areas … Shows excellent length and arch getting his shot over the taller forwards … Has the lateral agility to step out and unleash the ball so quick, he surprises a lethargic defender … Still working on his consistency, but when he gets to the outside, he has a soft, effortless shot that touches nothing but net … Demonstrates an effective fade-away jumper when driving to the top of the key … Uses his wing-span efficiently as a shot blocker and also utilizes his reach well to attack the offensive boards for the rebound … Along with his high release point, he shows good ball rotation working at the free throw line.

Negatives: Johnson needs at add bulk and overall strength to his frame, if he is to garner even a few minutes at the four-forward slot, especially in his lower body, where his legs look very thin … The problem is, his frame might be at its maximum growth rate and further bulk could impact his quickness … His lack of great power has allowed defenders lots of opportunities to deny his path to the basket, regularly pushing him out of the paint … Even though he has had decent numbers as a rebounder, his lack of power will dictate a move to the shooting forward spot, but he is still trying to develop a long-range offensive game in order to play there … Showed improvement at the perimeter, but made just 29.4% of his shots from there and of the 60 treys he's attempted during his career, 51 came last season, making his perimeter game still lacking … Decent post performer, but needs to refine a few rough edges in that area (has to bulk up and he lacks creativity) … Gets good elevation on the way to the rim, but defenders have good success clobbering him when he's trying to attempt a dunk, leaving his low post game as average, at best … His mediocre handle on the ball is evident, as he does not create much of a scoring opportunity for himself and even with 33 assists last season, he can't be relied upon as a passer … Has to continue to work on diversifying his game, as he can become predictable (likes to rely on shots right under the basket, put-backs from offensive rebounds and in transition) and his field goal success rate (49.4% as a senior) is not a remarkable figure for a front court player … Right-hand reliant as a shooter and has to develop more consistency utilizing his counter and up-&-under moves … Until he can improve his ball handling and show better creativity with his own shot on the way to the rim, an NBA team is not going to call his number in the half-court action as much as he enjoyed at Purdue.

Compares To: WILSON CHANDLER, Denver -- Johnson is an excellent athlete who was well-served by spending his last four years in the college ranks after seriously considering coming out the last two draft. It is a given that he lacks the size and bulk to be a power forward and does not have the natural strength to combat vs. the bigger men for position in the paint, but his improved mid-range jumper gives him an added weapon to make a transition to the three-forward spot at the next level. He is not going to see as many half court touches in the NBA like he did at Purdue, but with his ability to play minutes at all three forward spots (even briefly) could make him a nice fit as a team's sixth man earlier in his career, especially since he can provide pretty effective defense and shot blocking to be a valuable contributor immediately. Don't be surprised if an established team takes him late in the first round, as he has quite a bit to offer.

--Dave-Te' Thomas

Consensus All-American, the 17th player in Purdue history, and first since 1994, to earn the distinction … Member of the prestigious Wooden Award All-American squad and became the second player in program history to be named the Associated Press All-American team … Purdue's first-ever winner of the Pete Newell National Big Man of the Year Award … Chosen USBWA District V Player of the Year, USBWA All-District V and NABC All-District VII first-team … Finalist for the Naismith, Robertson and Wooden trophies … Named Big Ten Conference Player of the Year and league Defensive Player of the Year … Became only the third player in conference history to win Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season … Added one Big Ten Player of the Week (2/28/11) award … Chicago Invitational Challenge All-Tournament Team … Started all 34 games, as he averaged 20.529 points (698 total), 8.559 rebounds (291) and ranked 28th in the nation with 2.324 blocks (79) in 35.4 minutes per outing … Averaged 15.0 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament to tie for the tourney lead … Became the first Purdue player to lead the Big Ten in scoring in league games (20.7) since Glenn Robinson in 1994, and the first Boilermaker to pace the conference in scoring in overall games since Willie Deane in 2002 … His 698 points on the year placed ninth-best on the school season-record chart … Finished his career on a streak of 43-straight games with double-figure points, the fifth-longest in program history … His 291 rebounds rank ninth on Purdue's annual record chart … Made the 10th-most free throws by a Boilermaker in a single-season (169), and also blocked the fourth-most shots (79) … Played 1,203 minutes on the year to rank third on Purdue's single-season chart … Led Purdue in scoring 20 times, rebounds 24 times, blocks 31 times, steals 10 times and assists once during the season..

Named USBWA All-District V first-team, All-Big Ten Conference second-team and Big Ten All-Defensive first-team … Two-time Big Ten Player of the Week (1/25/10, 2/15/10) … Played in all 35 games with 34 starts, averaging 15.5 points, a team-best 7.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game … In overall games, he ranked second in the Big Ten in blocks (2.1), third in offensive rebounds (2.3), fifth in total rebounds (7.1) and defensive boards (4.8), seventh in field goal percentage (50.7) and eighth in scoring (15.5) … Led the Big Ten in league play with an average of 2.0 blocks per game, and ranked fourth in defensive rebounds (5.6), sixth in total rebounds (7.3), 11th in offensive rebounds (1.8) and 12th in both scoring (14.6) and field goal percentage (47.8) … Paced the Boilermakers in blocks 25 times, rebounds 21 times, scoring 13 times and steals on nine occasions … Posted a team-high nine double-doubles … Became the 45th player in program history to score 1,000-career points, and the 20th Boilermaker to eclipse both the 1,000-point and 500-rebound markers … His 72 blocks and 250 rebounds ranked fifth and 15th, respectively, on Purdue's single-season charts … Finished the season ranked second on the program's career blocks chart with 184 rejections … Had 24 multi-block games as a junior.

Invited to Team USA's World University Games Trials following the season … Named first-team All-Big Ten Conference, marking the third-straight season that a Purdue player was included on the first team … Earned inclusion on the Big Ten All-Defensive Team … All-district honoree by both the U.S. Basketball Writers Association and the National Association of Basketball Coaches … Paced the Big Ten with 78 blocks, good for the fourth-highest single-season total at Purdue, while his average of 2.2 rejections per game ranked sixth on the program's single-season ledger … Averaged 13.4 points and 5.6 rebounds, leading the Boilers in scoring 11 times and rebounding 11 times … Set game-bests in every category, including 30 points at Iowa, 15 rebounds vs. Illinois and seven blocks at North-western.

Played in all 34 games, starting 17 times … Ranks fourth on Purdue's freshman blocked shots list with 34 … Averaged 5.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game … Scored in double digits five times and blocked multiple shots on 10 occasions.

In 140 games at Purdue, Johnson totaled 1,919 points (13.707 ppg), ranking seventh on the school career-record list … Made 706-of-1,410 field goals (50.1%), becoming the seventh player in Boilermaker annals to register over 700 field goals in a career … Connected on 492-of-662 free throws (74.3%), ranking fifth in Purdue history … Shared the program's all-time record with teammate E'Twaun Moore, in wins (107), games played (140) and consecutive games played (140) … His 263 blocked shots rank second in school history, topped by Joe Barry Carroll (349, 1977-80) … Finished third on the career-record list in minutes played (3,856), fourth in games started (120), fifth in rebounds (853) and 11th in double-double (26) performances … His 16 rebounds vs. Saint Peter's in the second round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament tied the Purdue NCAA Tournament record set by Jerry Johnson (no relation) in 1969 … The effort was one shy of Johnson's career high (77), set at Michigan State in 2011.

Attended Franklin Central (Indianapolis, Ind.) High School, where he played for head coach Mark James … Ranked as the No. 41 overall recruit in his class by Rivals.com … Also rated 47th by Scout.com and 65th by Hoopmasters.com … Named to the Indiana All-Star Team following his senior season … Averaged 20.6 points, 9.1 boards and 4.3 blocks per game as a senior.

Graduated with a degree in Organizational Leadership and Supervision … Son of Rhonda and Chris Curlin … Born JaJuan Markeis Johnson on 2/08/89 … Resides in Indianapolis, Indiana.