The Washington Wizards have selected Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis with the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Davis stands 6-foot-5. He entered Wisconsin as a three-star recruit. After coming off the bench as a freshman and averaging 7.0 points per game, Davis had a breakout sophomore season in 2021-22.
He was named Big Ten Player of the Year as he averaged 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 31 starts. He was a consensus All-American. But his shooting was questionable last season. He shot 42.7% from the field and a subpar 30.9% from three.
However, his eye popping defense is what helped lead to him rising up boards to be a lottery pick. Davis prides himself on being a two-way player.
Johnny Davis thrives off-ball and other areas
Some consider him a combo guard. But, he thrives more as a secondary ballhandler. He has exceptional catch-and-shoot abilities. He also can take defenders off the dribble to get into the lane at a solid rate. His biggest strength will be playing off the ball with an intent to score once he touches the basketball.
Coincidentally, he should draw some comparisons to a younger Bradley Beal, who happens to be the Wizards cornerstone.
Can Davis be a primary ball handler in the NBA? That remains to be seen. What gets him in trouble is his shooting off the dribble. Additionally, his passing will need to improve. He averaged 2.3 turnovers against 2.1 assists.
Davis has great DNA. His father Mark Davis, who is a Chesapeake, Virginia native, played professional basketball for 14 years. He was a fourth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1985. However, he played just one season (1988-89) in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns.
Davis’ brother, Jordan, still plays at Wisconsin.
Bradley Beal’s new backcourt mate or his replacement?
The Wizards entered this offseason needing to add defense, particularly in the backcourt. They also wanted to get more shooting, especially in catch-and-shoot off-ball action. Davis addresses both needs.
He also gives the Wizards someone who can create his own shot outside of Beal. Davis can attack the basket. He can create spacing on and off the ball. Yes, he may not check off the need for a point guard, but he provides an array of skillset.
There is uncertainty surrounding Bradley Beal’s future with the team. He is expected to opt and decline his $36.4 million player option. The Wizards are “confident” he’ll re-sign on a long-term deal. If so, Davis will go well alongside Beal.
Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard stated the team has “no problem” with Beal sliding to point guard, if need be. If Beal was to pull off the shocker and sign elsewhere, Davis has potential of replacing Beal at shooting guard. Again there’s a lot comparable between the two.
In his fourth draft as Wizards GM, Sheppard may have finally hit a home run with star potential. It’s on head coach Wes Unseld Jr. and his staff to get the full potential out of Davis.
Grade: A-
