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Bucks Rookie AJ Johnson Gets Summer Schooling with KD, Holmgren, Others

Milwaukee Bucks rookie AJ Johnson, the No. 23 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has been scrimmaging with NBA veterans ahead of next month's training camp.

Cody Smith

AJ Johnson (1) participates during the 2024 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.
AJ Johnson (1) participates during the 2024 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. / david banks-usa today sports

MILWAUKEE — One month from training camp for the 2024-25 NBA season, Milwaukee Bucks rookie AJ Johnson has been attending an unofficial summer orientation with some of his basketball elders.

The 6-foot-4 Johnson, the 23rd overall selection in the June NBA Draft, is one of the lightest newcomers at 167 pounds.

During recent scrimmages in California, Johnson tested his slender frame against NBA stars Kevin Durant, Chet Holmgren, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Jordan Clarkson and Jalen Green.

In the video posted on Swish Cultures' X account, Johnson crossed over his defender before attacking Mobley, Cleveland's 6-foot-11 rim protector, for a slam dunk. At another point, Johnson maneuvered around Garland before draining a floater over Durant.

Coming out of high school, Johnson was a four-star recruit and initially committed to the University of Texas. But he changed his mind to play for the Next Stars program in the National Basketball League (NBL) in Australasia. He spent 2023-24 with the Illawarra Hawks, averaging 2.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.7 minutes across 26 appearances.

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Cody Smith
CODY SMITH

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