Predicted stats for six Duke basketball forwards next season

Ranking six forwards on the 2020-21 Duke basketball team: Jalen Johnson

Jalen Johnson has “future Duke basketball star” written all over him. That future, of course, likely involves only one season in Durham. Therefore, as a five-star prospect, the highest-ranked incoming Blue Devil on the 247Sports 2020 Composite at No. 12, and an oft-forecasted 2021 lottery pick, the Wisconsin product figures to be squarely under the spotlight.

Johnson’s competitive fire and alpha-esque confident demeanor, though, imply that he welcomes the pressure that comes with extreme levels of individual attention. Meanwhile, his smooth moves, advanced-level passing, and all-around productive presence on the floor are almost certain to earn him a starting nod from Day One — could be at the three or the four — and no less than 25 minutes per game for the season.

And if Johnson manages to rid some of the impurities from his outside shot before touching down for his one-year stay in Durham, then there’s no limit to the number of both individual and team awards that he could hold come April.

Predicted production next season for Jalen Johnson (four key averages): 15.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals

Note: The other five Blue Devils who will be in the mix for playing time and starting gigs won’t likely be spending much time at one of the forward positions; therefore, they are not a part of this list. Anyway, for the sake of mentioning them here, they are freshman point guard Jeremy Roach, freshman combo guard DJ Steward, senior combo guard Jordan Goldwire, senior big man Patrick Tape, and freshman center Mark Williams.

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