Los Angeles Lakers fans everywhere are looking forward to the upcoming NBA Draft as the Lakers are likely to hold a top-five selection. There are a number of prospects on display during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament including Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns.
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Another of the top prospects worth watching is Arizona small forward Stanley Johnson, who could also be a top-five selection. After helping the Wildcats advance to the Sweet 16 with a victory over Ohio State, Johnson revealed that he grew up a Lakers fan according to Zack Rosenblatt of the Tucson Star:
Stanley Johnson said he’s a lifelong Lakers fan, Kobe his favorite player. Now, Johnson will play at Staples Center.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) March 22, 2015
Johnson growing up a Lakers fan shouldn’t be surprising considering Johnson is a native of Fullerton, CA and won four CIF State Championships as a star at Mater Dei High School. Coincidentally, Johnson’s next game will take place at Staples Center when the Wildcats take on the Xavier Musketeers.
A good athlete with an NBA-ready body, Johnson would undoubtedly fill a need for the Lakers as the small forward position has been one of the weak spots for the team in the last couple of years. While he isn’t seen on the same level as Okafor, Towns, D’Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay, Johnson could definitely be in play if the Lakers end up with the fifth pick.
Last year’s first round pick, Julius Randle, was a huge Kobe fan before coming to the Lakers. Johnson would make two years in a row that a fan of Kobe could get the opportunity to play with their idol.
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