BYU Basketball Player Preview: Spencer Johnson

Spencer Johnson

Height: 6-5

Weight: 185

Hometown: American Fork, Utah

Previous Schools: Weber State, UVU, Salt Lake Community College

Class: Junior

Spencer Johnson Player Preview

Johnson was one of the pleasant surprises last season. He became a fixture in the rotation and was one of BYU’s best perimeter defenders. He often matched up with opposing teams’ best guards and shot 41% from three on the offensive end.

Johnson has good length and quickness at 6-foot-5 to hold his own on the defensive end. He’s also likely BYU’s third point guard, a duty he won’t need to take much since at least one of Te’Jon Lucas and Alex Barcello will almost always be on the court in meaningful minutes.

Johnson won’t have the production of BYU’s two senior guards, doesn’t have the length of Gideon George, and isn’t quite the shooter Trevin Knell is, but he is solid in multiple areas and is BYU’s “glue guy” that is so vital to winning teams.

I think he’ll have a similar role to last year as a primary defender and a guy that hits open shots. He averaged 5 points a game last year and I think that’ll go up at least a couple points this season.

Player Comp: Anson Winder

Johnson isn’t exactly the type of player that Winder was, but I think he can have a similar impact. Winder often came off the bench and was a valuable sixth man that broke out as a 5th-year senior by averaging almost 13 ppg.

I think Johnson can do similar things. He won’t average that many points, but he is a steady veteran presence off the bench that will give production night to night.

2021-2022 Expectations: Main Rotation Player

Johnson is one of BYU’s most consistent players. Defense travels, and Johnson defends every night. He’s not necessarily a lock down guy, but he can make life difficult for the offensive player he’s guarding. If he can improve his point guard skills and be an additional facilitator and creator off the bench, that will be gravy to the defense and shooting he provides.