‘They’re built for me’: Former Indiana basketball guard Xavier Johnson taking full advantage of pre-draft opportunities — including one close to home

Overcoming adversity has been something former Indiana basketball guard Xavier Johnson has done for the majority of his playing career. Whether it was on the court antics or overcoming injuries, Johnson has been through the wringer at times. So, when he got the call late on Wednesday night that he would have a workout with the Indiana Pacers on Thursday morning, he was grateful for the opportunity.

“I feel blessed,” Johnson told reporters following his workout. “All the work to get here, IU and my other school Pitt, to get here. I’ve put in a lot of hard work so just blessed to get an opportunity.”

The Pacers workout was just Johnson’s second workout of the pre-draft process, joining the Washington Wizards earlier this summer. It was a workout he wasn’t entirely prepared for in terms of advanced notice as his addition to the group workout came Wednesday afternoon, replacing USC guard Boogie Ellis.

“It came right out of nowhere,” Johnson said. “Everything comes out of nowhere so you just have to stay ready.”

The former Indiana basketball guard played 65 games in Bloomington and averaged 10.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. He started 58 games in his IU career. Johnson’s career at Indiana was highlighted by injures, however, especially over the last two seasons. He played just 11 games during the 2022-23 season before suffering a broken foot that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Then in 2023-24, he played just 20 games and was in and out of the lineup for the entire season, dealing with ankle/foot and elbow injuries.

While Johnson was never really high on the NBA radar, putting up career lows in points (7.6), rebounds (2.6), assists (2.8), steals (0.8) and free throw percentage (68.8) last season certainly didn’t help his case. It was a year of inconsistent play.

But, when he got the news of the workout, it was a moment of great opportunity. And, it helped that he could lean on a former teammate who had gone through the process just a season ago in Trayce Jackson-Davis.

“He told me to just be yourself,” Johnson said. “The workouts are typically my speed. They’re built for me. There’s a lot of space, spacing opportunities, so just play and be confident.”

That was a sentiment that Johnson echoed following his second pre-draft workout, especially the way the Indiana Pacers like to play.

“They play fast-paced,” Johnson said. “That’s my speed, my caliber speed. I like to play at a fast pace and get up and down the floor and get quick shots … they told us to get the ball up and down the floor in the fast break. Get the ball up as fast as you can.”

Johnson appeared in 149 games across six years in his collegiate career at Pitt and Indiana. He had career averages of 12.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals and shot 35 percent from three.

That type of experience, and being 25 years old by the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, is something he’s trying to lean on throughout the pre-draft process.

“Yeah, six years is a long time,” Johnson said with a smile. “Just trying to bring my experience. I’m an older guy so I’m supposed to be ready. So staying ready (for every moment).”

Johnson has been spending most of his time since the end of his college season at his second home in Bloomington, working out with some of the Indiana basketball staff as well as some of the current players.

While he’s been leaning on some of the advice from former players and teammates, it’s also the advice from Mike Woodson that goes a long way. 34 years of experience in the NBA to be exact.

“Just be a great teammate. That’s one of the main things. Be a great teammate,” Johnson said of Woodson’s advice. “Being in the NBA, there’s a lot of great players. Not every player can be the best player. Everybody has their role, so just play your role.”

Now ‘back to myself as a player’ following a flurry of injuries,  Johnson feels like he’s been able to showcase some of what sets him apart over the last few weeks. His speed, quickness and ability to defend at a high level.

While he will likely not hear his name on draft night later this month, Johnson is using these opportunities and experiences over the last month to set himself up for success in whichever way his first professional crack comes.

(Video from IndyStar.com)

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