MILWAUKEE — One month from training camp for the 2024-25 NBA season, Milwaukee Bucks rookie AJ Johnson has been attending an unofficial summer orientation with some of his basketball elders.
The 6-foot-4 Johnson, the 23rd overall selection in the June NBA Draft, is one of the lightest newcomers at 167 pounds.
During recent scrimmages in California, Johnson tested his slender frame against NBA stars Kevin Durant, Chet Holmgren, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Jordan Clarkson and Jalen Green.
In the video posted on Swish Cultures' X account, Johnson crossed over his defender before attacking Mobley, Cleveland's 6-foot-11 rim protector, for a slam dunk. At another point, Johnson maneuvered around Garland before draining a floater over Durant.
Rookie Aj Johnson ( @aj_johnson04 ) has a bright future for the @bucks he was very impressive dash & @drewhanlen runs pic.twitter.com/uYf8f4XgWP
— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) August 30, 2024
Coming out of high school, Johnson was a four-star recruit and initially committed to the University of Texas. But he changed his mind to play for the Next Stars program in the National Basketball League (NBL) in Australasia. He spent 2023-24 with the Illawarra Hawks, averaging 2.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.7 minutes across 26 appearances.
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