Over the weekend, San Antonio Spurs second-year forward Keldon Johnson became the first player in franchise history to have a 20-point, 20-rebound game since Tim Duncan in 2013. Johnson, who finished with 23 points and 21 rebounds in their victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, is listed as 6’5.”
Duncan was 6’11.”
After leaving the University of Kentucky for the NBA as a one-and-done prospect, Johnson was selected with the 29th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft the San Antonio Spurs.
Playing a limited role as a rookie, Johnson began to come on strong for San Antonio towards the end of the 2019-20 season, averaging 15.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game on .638 percent shooting from the field and .647 percent shooting from 3-point range while the Spurs were in the bubble.
The Virginia native has only continued his strong play in 2020-21, averaging 14.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.7 steals per game for the Spurs, shooting .480 percent from the field and .333 from 3-point range.
In fact, Johnson’s play has been so great this season, that he deserve recognition as one of the most improved players in the league. For a Spurs team that’s been better than expected this season, Johnson has been a pleasant surprise and looks like a key piece of San Antonio’s young core.
