UCLA Basketball: How Will Kobe Johnson Addition Impact Starting Lineup?

Jason Fray | Apr 6, 2024

Mar 13, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Kobe Johnson (0) and Washington / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

UCLA’s addition of former USC wing Kobe Johnson is arguably the Bruins' most notable transfer portal move to date.

Johnson is widely regarded as a top-10 portal member, largely based on his reputation as one of college basketball’s most prolific wing defenders. Johnson has back-to-back seasons in which he’s averaged 2.2 steals.

While built differently from former UCLA defensive dynamo Jaylen Clark, there are undeniable similarities. There’s a savvy to his game which is difficult to quantify. Johnson is disruptive in passing lanes, something not overly surprising considering a 6-foot-6 frame and above-average athleticism. Whereas Clark was more powerfully built and a bit stouter, Johnson is a rangier player.

In terms of reading the play and reacting accordingly, Johnson is an excellent help defender. He picks his spots when going for steals, yet also possesses the on-ball skills needed to defend the opposing team’s best wing.

It will be fascinating to see how he fits into UCLA’s starting lineup. While his NIL package hasn’t been publicly revealed, one can bet he received quite a bit of money in order to stay in Los Angeles and bypass rumored interest from both Kansas and Oregon. Under those circumstances, it’s highly unlikely the senior out of Milwaukee will come off the bench.

Dylan Andrews is a lock to start at the point guard spot. It would be a mild surprise if Skyy Clark didn’t start as the off guard alongside Andrews. Johnson figures to pencil right into the lineup as one of the team’s starting wings.

If this is the case, what does that mean for last year’s starter, Lazar Stefanovic? The senior out of Serbia was one of Mick Cronin’s most trusted players. He played heavy minutes and was arguably the team’s best rebounder/perimeter shooter. You could see a scenario where UCLA operates with a ‘small ball’ alignment – where Johnson and Stefanovic man the forward spots. However, if the Bruins do land Oklahoma State transfer Eric Dailey Jr. as rumored, Stefanovic would make for an excellent sixth man type.

As for Johnson, one cannot highlight this addition enough. He fits the culture which has made Cronin successful in the past, and he provides UCLA with an elite wing defender – something it didn’t have last year.