Keshad Johnson competed in the King's Hawaiian Slam Dunk Contest Thursday night at Grand Canyon University, part of the Final Four festivities taking place there this week. Wearing the red No. 16 Arizona uniform, the former San Diego State forward drew the unenviable slot of starting first at a time when judges are typically conservative with their scores, unsure of what will happen next.
He dribbled from midcourt, lifted high, tucked the ball under his wrist and forearm, and sent it windmilling to the rim.
It received 52 points with four nines and two eights from six judges, including four current or former NBA players.
The top 4 out of 9 advanced to the semi-finals. Johnson finished in fifth place with a one-point difference, but it's hard to say that his four dunks were good. Grand Canyon forward Gabe McGlothan won in his home arena (and probably with a home-cooked meal).
Johnson shrugged and smiled.
“It's okay,” he said. “I hope I can participate in the NBA dunk contest within a year.”
Perhaps the biggest life skill Johnson learned at SDSU is the program's “next play” philosophy of not letting a bad moment affect the next. Look through the windshield, not the rearview mirror.
That's what the 6-foot-7 forward did at GCU Arena on Thursday, sticking around to enjoy the 3-point shooting and dunk contests, cheering big, posing for photos and signing autographs. and danced with a smile. And that's what he did last May when he transferred from SDSU and chose to spend the “corona” season in Arizona.
“Once it happened, it happened,” Johnson said. “I was Bear Down, a Wildcat all my life. I gave them my all. I wasn't picky about it. Once I made the decision, it was final. They are now But my brother (at SDSU), I'm not only a Wildcat, I'm also a “lifelong Aztec.” ”
San Diego State forward Keshad Johnson (0) reacts after being fouled during the second half of the 2023 National Championship Game.
(KC Alfred/San Diego Union Tribune)
Johnson played a similar role in Arizona as he did on the SDSU team that reached the national championship game, starting at No. 4 and serving as a versatile defensive stopper. His scoring averages increased from 7.7 to 11.5 points and 5.0 to 5.9 rebounds, but were skewed by the Wildcats' energetic offense compared to SDSU's slower tempo.
If you look at his numbers per 100 possessions, they are similar: points have increased from 20.8 to 22.8 and rebounds have decreased from 13.5 to 11.6. Thanks to him, Arizona reached the Sweet 16 before losing to Clemson. Even without him, SDSU reached the Sweet 16.
But the big difference was his 3-point shooting. Johnson went 11-of-42 (26.2%) as a junior at SDSU and shot 24.6% over his four-year career there. At Arizona, his attempts and accuracy skyrocketed to 36 of 93, or 38.7 percent.
His NBA draft predictions were similar. Many mock drafts currently have him in the second round. ESPN ranked him 43rd.rd Included in top 100 prospects.
“I'm confident we have a chance,” said Johnson, who is in the process of hiring an agent. “You don't see a lot of people who are better than me. I've gotten better every year at playing basketball. Thanks to Tucson, I showed a lot of what I could do and what I knew I could do and do it even better.” I was able to show on the big stage and I'm confident that I can join an NBA program and make an immediate impact.
“I tell people I'm like water. I'm shapeless. I can blend in anywhere.”
He spent the last few days in San Diego, hanging out with former Aztecs teammates Lamont Butler and Jared Barnett.
“It’s been a year,” Johnson said. “I needed it for my soul.”
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson reacts after scoring a goal against Oregon on March 2nd.
(Rick Scutelli/Associated Press)
And whether or not all fans respected and accepted his decision to leave to pay NIL in the region of a reported $400,000, San Diego is still a part of it. He talks about buying a house in San Diego someday. The Oakland native attended an SDSU game at San Jose State in January with his family wearing Aztec jerseys.
“If you look bad at me, you're not a real Aztec,” Johnson said. “I gave my all to San Diego State University. The truth is, you only have four years to do in college. The coronavirus just gave people an extra year. I gave them an entire term. I was just blessed with another year to do something different.
“My really loyal fans love me. When I go back to San Diego, they give me love. But to the trolls, there's always negativity in the world.” exists.”
Has he experienced it?
“It’s a lot,” he said. “But I still love them, you know? I still love them, whether they hate me or not. I still love them.”
Viejas renovation survey
SDSU announced it will conduct a “renovation study” of the 26-year-old Viejas Arena with the goal of improving the fan experience.
“This study will improve main concourse amenities, including creating new social spaces and food and beverage options within the venue, increasing premium hospitality experiences throughout the arena, and considering complimentary services outside of the arena,” the university's release said. “We will consider ways to do so.'' ”
SDSU considered revising Viejas in 2019, but it was postponed due to the pandemic. The 12,414-seat arena is unique in that it was built in the Aztec Bowl, the old football stadium on campus, and there is no central concourse separating the upper and lower seating areas. It lacks the luxury boxes and other premium seating facilities that most venues of this size have.
The study will begin with a survey of basketball fans, concert attendees, and people on campus. From there, the university will develop a design concept and cost estimate for potential renovations.
