Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson is averaging a 22.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, seven assists and 1.7 steals in his fifth NBA season. With star guard Trae Young sidelined with a sprained MCL, Johnson has adequately assumed the leadership role in Atlanta, emerging as a potential All-Star candidate.
Through 16 games, the 6-foot-9 forward has recorded nine double-doubles and a triple-double. Only Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić and Alperen Sengun have more games with 25+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists this season than Johnson’s three.
Following a slow start to his career, including a stop in the developmental G League, Johnson is evolving into the star the Hawks envisioned when they selected him 20th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. During an interview with Andscape insider Marc J. Spears, the 23-year-old credited offseason training with LeBron James for his All-Star leap this season.
“My time in the gym with him, I just enjoyed any knowledge he gave me. He just gave me little pointers. His work ethic, how he prepares, how he shows up before the workout and all that other stuff,” Johnson told Andscape.
“I was really taking those small little pointers from him and just trying to implement it in my own routine. I was really just watching, man, just seeing how he moves and all that. It was great to have him around. I was blessed to be able to work with him,” Johnson added.
Jalen Johnson Could Be a Franchise Cornerstone in Atlanta
GettyJalen Johnson is emerging into a star for the Atlanta Hawks
As Hawks guard Trae Young continues to be a popular figure on the trade rumor mill, its possible that Atlanta already has its next franchise player rostered. Although Johnson attributed the all-time NBA scoring leader James with his on-court quantum leap, the signs of his eventual stardom were evident last season, too.
Before a torn labrum in his left shoulder ended his 2024 season prematurely, the former Duke standout was averaging 18.6 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, 1.6 steals and a block per game in 36 starts.
After averaging a meager 9.1 points in through his initial three NBA campaigns, Johnson appeared to be coming into his own before his season-ending shoulder surgery.
Despite a slow start to his pro career and subsequent injury, Johnson always believed that he would eventually catch stride in Atlanta.
“Don’t rush nothing,” Johnson told Andscape. “If you don’t rush nothing and you trust your process and truly embrace the grind and not just say words about it, but actually be about your actions, it’s just a matter of time. You start slowly seeing yourself progress forward and make small steps. And the next thing you know, your numbers get better. All that stuff takes care of itself.”
Johnson’s ascension to a budding star in Atlanta isn’t surprising to James, either, who praised the 23-year-old for his tireless work ethic.
“That boy JJ cold!” James shared via Instagram following Johnson’s historic triple-double against the Utah Jazz on November 13. “Seen it the last few summers! He works.”
Should Johnson continue to stuff the stat sheet at a historic rate, he could be in line for his first career All-Star selection.
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