ARIZONA BASKETBALL

Arizona’s Nick Johnson ‘not sure’ about future

Apr 12, 2014, 12:00 AM | Updated: 1:18 am

Arizona’s Nick Johnson has one year left of eligibility and a decision to make.

If he remains in school, the Wildcats would most likely be a preseason favorite heading into next year.

If he declares for the draft, Johnson would join the majority of his fellow Wooden Award finalists in moving to the NBA.

In Los Angeles for the Wooden Award Gala Friday, Johnson doesn’t know what is next for his playing career.

“I’m not sure yet,” Johnson told Mark Willard of ESPN LA 710 AM. “The season just ended a few weeks ago. I’m still trying to get over that. I’m talking to my family, my support system and coach Miller. He’s been through it a few times with some guys and I’m just talking to him and trying to get the right information.”

Johnson was asked how the Elite Eight loss to Wisconsin will affect his decision.

“It’s tough,” Johnson said. “You have to sit down with a group of people that you trust and weigh the options.

“It was kind of incomplete. We felt like we had the chance to make a title run.”

According to NBADraft.net and DraftExpress.com, Johnson is predicted to be a second-round draft pick in the June 26 draft.

Even though a decision hasn’t been made yet, Johnson is trying to steer away from the speculation and focus solely on his craft.

“I’ll get a call or text from a friend or family member who follows mock drafts,” Johnson said. “After last year, I just decided not to even pay a lot of attention to it.

“I’ve been told I had to raise my field goal percentage, my three-point percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio, and I’ve done all of that and I’ve made tremendous strides in that category. I’ve taken better shots and as far as my turnover percentage, when people criticize me saying I’m not a pure point guard, my turnover percentage is just as good as the pure point guards they are comparing me to. I know my numbers, so when I get critiqued and criticized, it has to make sense, because if not, I can just blow smoke back in their face.”

Arizona Basketball

JuJu Watkins drives on Cameron Brink...

Associated Press

Pac-12 women get 7 teams in NCAA Tournament, including Arizona

The Pac-12 could be poised for a strong showing in its final March Madness run. Arizona, USC, Stanford and more are in the NCAA Tournament.

11 hours ago

Kylan Boswell celebrates...

Arizona Sports

Experts predict Arizona Wildcats’ NCAA Tournament run

Arizona isn't a No. 1 seed this NCAA Tournament, but that hasn't stopped some experts from picking the program from going far in 2024.

12 hours ago

Oumar Ballo #11 and Keshad Johnson #16 of the Arizona Wildcats bump chests after a basket by Ballo ...

David Veenstra

Arizona faces Long Beach State in 1st round of 2024 NCAA Tournament

The No. 2 seed Arizona Wildcats will take on No. 15 seed Long Beach State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Salt Lake City.

1 day ago

Head coach Tommy Lloyd of the Arizona Wildcats calls to his team in the second half of a semifinal ...

Kellan Olson

Arizona projected as No. 2 seed for NCAA Tournament, GCU 12th

The Arizona Wildcats' two recent losses have still been deemed as costly enough to have them miss out on a NCAA Tournament top seed.

2 days ago

Jadrian Tracey...

Associated Press

Oregon captures final Pac-12 Tournament championship with win over Colorado

Oregon secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by defeating Colorado 75-68 on Saturday night, ending the Pac-12 basketball era.

2 days ago

Keshad Johnson #16 of the Arizona Wildcats drives the ball against N'Faly Dante #1 and Jackson Shel...

Damon Allred

Arizona eliminated from Pac-12 Tournament in loss to Oregon

Arizona men's basketball packed its bags to leave Las Vegas and the Pac-12 Tournament early after falling 67-59 to fourth-seeded Oregon.

3 days ago

Arizona’s Nick Johnson ‘not sure’ about future