The NBA Finals have concluded so it is time for all 30 teams to start preparing for next season. The lottery was held on May 12th, the final deadline for early entry withdrawal was June 16th, and the draft will take place on June 26th/27th. We will spend the next week interviewing as many members of this year’s draft class as possible. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage by chatting with Indiana G Xavier Johnson about being a great scorer and what it would mean to him to get drafted.
You started high school at 5’6” but grew to 6’ by the time you graduated: how did that growth spurt help your on-court play (if at all)? It helped me become more athletic and fit in with the other guys who were taller than me. It made me into a totally different player.
You originally committed to Nebraska: why did you ask to be released from your letter of intent, and what made you choose Pitt? There was a coaching change at Nebraska (Fred Hoiberg replaced Tim Miles in March of 2019) and I sat down to talk about it with my family. After I asked for my release I visited Pitt and then committed there.
In 2019 you started all 33 games, were named to the ACC All-Freshman team, and became the 1st Pitt freshman to lead his team in scoring since 1985: how were you able to make such a smooth transition from high school to college? My high school was part of a great conference. The WCAC (Washington Catholic Athletic Conference) has amazing talent and is 1 of the best leagues in America for high school basketball.
You also led the ACC that year by making 157 FTs: how important to your success is getting to the line and then making FTs once you get there? It was a big emphasis on my game to get downhill due to my speed. Guys could not stay in front of me so they picked up a lot of foul calls, which led to a lot of easy points.
In 2021 you decided to transfer to Indiana: were you concerned that the Hoosiers already had a pair of PGs on the roster? We talked about it, but it was not a big concern because they discussed playing with 2 PGs on the floor at times.
You turned around your 1st season in Bloomington after your grandfather passed away in early-February: how close were you 2, and how were you able to improve your game after losing him? We were very close: we traveled to his home in Georgia to celebrate the holidays together and he texted me a lot, so after he died it was a big motivation for me to play better. I needed something positive so I was able to turn around my season, which was good for both me and my team.
You were team captain last year: what is the key to being a good leader? You must be disciplined and be the 1 who sets the example. I was not a vocal guy when I 1st came to Indiana, but Coach Mike Woodson stayed on me to become more vocal.
You only played 20 games last year due to foot/elbow injuries: how is your health doing now? I am doing really well now that I have the right shoes!
Your father Michael played college basketball, your godbrother Marcus Georges-Hunt played in the NBA, and your cousins Larry/Tracey Gibson played D-1 basketball: who is the best athlete in the family? My dad claims he is and calls himself “Flight” because he dunked on so many people…but I would say me!
What would it mean to you to get drafted, and what is the plan if you do not get drafted? It would mean the world to me and my family: I have dreamed about it since I was young. If I do not get drafted then I will just try to get on a summer league or G-League team and work my way up from there.