ESPN's updated mock NBA Draftย on Thursday put Arizona guard Kylan Boswell at the top of the second round while inserting forward Keshad Johnson for the first time at No. 49.
In a post earlier this week about recent draft risers, ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony said Johnson's stock has gained in November, with his toughness and experience showing in multiple plays down the stretch of UA's wins over Duke and Michigan State.
"A major reason for (Arizona's rise) is the outstanding play of the fifth-year senior Johnson, particularly on the defensive end," Givony wrote. "He has been a game-changer on defense by locking up the paint as a rim protector, sliding his feet switching onto guards on the perimeter, closing out on shooters with outstanding technique and bringing nonstop effort and physicality in the paint.
"Johnson's ability to body up big men, switch 1 through 5 and make plays at the rim as a drop or help defender positions him with ideal versatility for modern NBA defenses."
Arizona has also benefited Johnson, Givony wrote, by playing a more wide-open offense that allows him more room to find baskets inside and find 3-point opportunities. Johnson is shooting just 29.4% from 3 but 70.6% from inside the arc and 81.0% from the line.
"His jump shot will be scrutinized by NBA scouts looking to project his offensive role at the next level," Givony wrote, "but the fact that he has hit nearly one 3-pointer per game and is converting 81% of his free throws is a good start."
Boswell has long been expected a prospect for the 2024 draft class. He was a five-star recruit in the 2023 class out of Champaign, Ill., via Southern California and AZ Compass Prep who opted to skip his senior year and play for the Wildcats last season.
Boswell is leading Arizona in scoring with 13.5 average points per game while shooting 55.8% from the field.
