In the last few years, the Milwaukee Bucks front office has not had the greatest success in the NBA draft.
That said, Giannis Antetokounmpo carrying a perennial playoff team doesn’t exactly leave you with the highest picks.
In 2023, the Bucks drafted Chris Livingston with the 58th pick. In 21 games, he averaged 1.2 points in 4.3 minutes per game.
In 2022, Milwaukee took MarJon Beauchamp, who has played exactly 100 games for the Bucks, averaging 12.7 minutes per game.
In 2021, the 54th pick Sandro Mamukelashvili was acquired via trade during the second round after trading away the 31st overall pick, Isaiah Todd.
In 2020, the Bucks drafted R.J. Hampton (who was traded five days later) and Jordan Nwora.
Nwora is now playing in Turkey, Mamukelashvili is playing under 10 minutes per night in San Antonio, Beauchamp is going into (what might be) his last-chance season on the Bucks, and Livingston can’t crack the team’s rotation.
Now you might say, “Evan, why are you being so pessimistic?” And, I would say, “You’re right. I just wish there were a young explosive guard who can come off the bench and score at will to ignite the Bucks’ offense when Damian Lillard isn’t playing.”
Insert, A.J. Johnson.
The latest youngster on the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster. A 6-foot-5, 160-pound guard who averaged 2.9 points, 1.3 rebounds and shot only 27.8% on threes in just 7.7 minutes across 26 appearances in the NBL for the Illawarra Hawks.
Now, if those stats don’t get you jumping out of your seat, you’re not alone. Why would the Bucks draft a guard with a frail frame, who couldn’t average more than three points in Australia? Surely he won’t be able to handle the size and strength of NBA players? Right?
Well, once again you’re not alone in this thought. That was until a YouTube video popped into my suggested the other day.
A video of NBA pro runs showcases a 5v5 game with some big names. Chet Holmgren, Kevin Durant, Jalen Green and Darius Garland headline the video. But, hiding in the back of the video you’ll find two Milwaukee Bucks players:
MarJon Beauchamp and A.J. Johnson.
The video opens up with two teams: (note – the teams change every so often, but the players stay the same)
Jalen Green, Kelly Oubre, Jordan Clarkson (sporting a fitted hat and long pants in classic JC fashion), Chet Holmgren, and A.J. Johnson
vs.
Kevin Durant, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Moses Moody, and MarJon Beauchamp
Amongst all this elite-level company sits one rookie. With so many high-level scorers, a late first-round pick could easily get lost in all the commotion.
But not A.J. Johnson.
Not even two minutes into the video, there is a 45-second stretch where:
(0:32) Johnson takes the ball at the top of the key, gets a screen from Holmgren, and shoots a right-handed floater over Durant.
(0:58) Johnson takes on Garland one-on-one on the left wing and does two dribble cross-overs before driving and finishing the contest scoop layup.
(1:04) Johnson steals the ball from Durant who wasn’t paying attention after receiving the inbound ball. Johnson then takes the ball back outside the arc, giving room for a pass to Holmgren inside who slams it home.
Three plays, three points. All thanks to Johnson.
To a Bucks fan, this is paradise. A player who can make plays for themselves on offense, while being intense and motivated on defense.
Still not impressed? Let’s see what else he can do.
(1:43) Moses Moody beats his man, forcing Johnson to step up to help. Moody bounces it to MarJon Beauchamp who rolls to the hoop. Johnson recovers and swats Beauchamp at the rim from behind.
(2:50) Johnson gets the inbound and takes the ball up the court. A screen by Jordan Clarkson switches MarJon Beauchamp onto Johnson. A.J. does a little side-to-side dribble before pulling a three-pointer (two-pointer in pickup) in Beauchamp’s face and knocking it down.
(5:18) Johnson is defended by Moses Moody when Chet Holmgren sets a left-sided pick on the right wing. Johnson rejects the screen and both Moody and Holmgren’s defender (Evan Mobley) switch on to Johnson. A.J. (with no regard for human life) goes baseline and double-pump two-hand dunks it on both of them.
Side note: Bucks fans should look at away (8:08) if they don’t want to watch Jordan Clarkson dismantle MarJon Beauchamp in a slurry of handles that results in a fade-away jumper.
These plays were just the highlights as well. There are plenty of plays not listed above, such as:
On a break-away, Johnson would be in the corner for a three or would backdoor-cut for an easy layup or dunk.
On defense, he forced a lot of kick-outs on Darius Garland.
And, when left open, A.J. had no problem unloading the deep shot.
Johnson seems the have the physical tools along with great game IQ to make a difference in NBA games. His tight dribble and great first step were on full display in this video. With Milwaukee having the second-oldest roster in the NBA last season, Johnson could be the Bucks’ brand-new toy.
Bucks fans should be very eager to watch this not-even 20-year-old prospect shine.
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