Jalen Johnson

[RaginDave]

15 and 6 in the sunbelt? Hardly something to flex about. He’s a nice player. That’s all. I watched him enough to see the many holes in his game. And I’m no scout.

I agree with MAT on this. He is a solid mid major player. I do not think he is athletic enough to go to the SEC, ACC, Big XII, B1G, etc and have success near what he did at UL. I am sure he can find a higher profile team that will want him, but to think he is going to go to most high profile schools and be gauranteed a starting spot is crazy. Again, I do not think he is overly athletic which is his downfall. I think he worked hard and was one of our better players, but again, Kobe Julien plays a similar game and I think Kobe is a much better player when healthy then Johnson was.

[ZoomZoom]

When you recruit the player, you recruit the parents too.

Yup. Coaches think they can tune them out but every once in awhile there is a Big Baller Brand daddy and the like.

Smartest thing I ever did coaching my kids was stopping when they both reached 10 or there about.

If I had to guess JJ ends up at SLU. Just a WAG, burned the bridge here.

[Cajunsmike]

15 and 6 in the sunbelt? Hardly something to flex about. He’s a nice player. That’s all. I watched him enough to see the many holes in his game. And I’m no scout.

I agree the 15 and 6 numbers are not overly impressive when you consider the number of shots he took to arrive at them. Still most players don't put up those kind of figures and his family will push those when looking for another spot. I listed the holes in his game and scouts will see more of those than I. They will also see the positives I may be missing. Wherever he goes, my main suggestion for him would be to be more selective with his shots, especially from behind the perimeter. He is one guy they should run plays to get him mid range looks. Had he stayed here, I believe that would have been the plan. As far as his defensive shortcomings go, I don't know how he would improve much there other than to have more desire. My prediction is that he will be disappointed nobody in the SEC comes calling and end up at a place like UAB where he will come off the bench and have lower numbers than he would had he stayed here.

[CajunAmos]

I agree the 15 and 6 numbers are not overly impressive when you consider the number of shots he took to arrive at them. Still most players don't put up those kind of figures and his family will push those when looking for another spot. I listed the holes in his game and scouts will see more of those than I. They will also see the positives I may be missing. Wherever he goes, my main suggestion for him would be to be more selective with his shots, especially from behind the perimeter. He is one guy they should run plays to get him mid range looks. Had he stayed here, I believe that would have been the plan. As far as his defensive shortcomings go, I don't know how he would improve much there other than to have more desire. My prediction is that he will be disappointed nobody in the SEC comes calling and end up at a place like UAB where he will come off the bench and have lower numbers than he would had he stayed here.

Have to say I told my wife more than once he seemed to be much more energetic on the offensive side than the defensive one.

[ZoomZoom]

Wherever he goes, my main suggestion for him would be to be more selective with his shots, especially from behind the perimeter.

My main suggestion would be to complete his degree(s) requirement(s).

[Cajunsmike]

My main suggestion would be to complete his degree(s) requirement(s).

Great advice. All indications are he will get his undergraduate degree from UL come May 15. Masters Degree will help him down the road when he realizes his only hope of getting paid to play the game is in the lower level overseas leagues. As I said earlier, I don't think I have missed an evaluation on a player as much as this one. I do get some right. I did predict Bryant Mbamalu and Kasey Shepherd would be contributors in their early years. I still think Tyrus Smith can help us next year assuming he has put his off the court issues behind him. Watch for Durey Cadwell to be an important part of the team next year. He will be the opposite of Jalen. Won't put up numbers that anyone notices but will almost always make the right play and will be a plus defensive player.

[SlickRick]

IMO, he won't get a P5 invite, and end up coming off the bench somewhere no better than where he left, again. In addition to all of the weaknesses already mentioned, he's got no handle. He lost the ball as much is not more than Dugas. And he's not athletic enough to be in the NBA, period.

[Turbine]

This portal thing is proving to be the irresistible carrot.

It's like a mini mock draft 2.0

[Cajunfever]

Our program is what it was 2 years ago when he made the decision to transfer here. Did his family all of a sudden think he needed a bigger name program or did they have issues with coach and staff? or both?

You are right in your assessment but does it really take away from the fact that its disappointing that he's leaving. He's a senior, a starter and valuable front court player where we seriously lack depth.

His numbers at St. Louis limited his options of going to a bigger school. His numbers last year was much better.

[Cajunfever]

I agree with MAT on this. He is a solid mid major player. I do not think he is athletic enough to go to the SEC, ACC, Big XII, B1G, etc and have success near what he did at UL. I am sure he can find a higher profile team that will want him, but to think he is going to go to most high profile schools and be gauranteed a starting spot is crazy. Again, I do not think he is overly athletic which is his downfall. I think he worked hard and was one of our better players, but again, Kobe Julien plays a similar game and I think Kobe is a much better player when healthy then Johnson was.

Dave--you are correct in your assessment of Julien. Jalen's playing time this year would have decreased which likely would cause his numbers to decrease. Daddy did not think this would help his son showcase himself for the NBA.