Jalen Johnson has found his place in the NBA. The Atlanta Hawks forward is currently enjoying a breakout season in his third professional year. The Duke University product finally got a chance to shine with the Hawks after the team traded power forward John Collins to the Utah Jazz to clear up cap space this past offseason.
Now, Johnson is averaging 15.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
JJ did what he does, filling up the stat sheet 🔢
21 PTS | 9 REB | 6 AST@Jalen_J23 x @UPS pic.twitter.com/PYG6wqLd78
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 25, 2024
With the Hawks’ 18-26 start to the season, the team has placed the entire roster, including former All-Star guard Dejounte Murray, on the trading block. Atlanta still has three untouchables: Trae Young, Kobe Bufkin and Johnson.
After a recent game, Johnson spoke to rolling out and other media members about his on-court growth and playing in the city of Atlanta.
With all of these career nights you’re enjoying this season, what do you think that says about your continued growth?
I think it’s just a testament to the hard work I did throughout my career. Things are slowly starting to click, and my teammates help me with all of that.
By most metrics this season, you appear to be the most improved player in the NBA. What do you think of that?
Like I said, it’s a testament to hard work, as well as my teammates and coaches putting me in the right position and allowing me to have the freedom to be me within it. So having that support and people around you like that gives you a clearer mind. Especially when you’re going on the court now, you’re not thinking [too much]. That’s all it is.
What is the energy like playing in Atlanta?
It’s great. For me personally, just playing in a lot of the arenas now, State Farm Arena just separates themselves from everybody else as far as the energy everybody brings [and] the crowd interaction.
It’s really fun to play here. Especially having a game on MLK Day, it was huge to get the W. That was really good.
What does Martin Luther King Jr. mean to you?
MLK meant a lot, especially understanding what he was about. Equality, standing for what he believed in and I think everybody can apply that to their everyday life. Stand for what they believe in, stand for what’s right, and most importantly, the impact he has on us today is immortal. It’s everlasting, and we just try to honor and represent him as best as possible.
