When Jalen Johnson departed the Duke Blue Devils for the 2021 NBA Draft after just one season in Durham, there were some real pressing questions about the 6-foot-9 forward, mainly as a result of the fact that he missed most of the season due to a foot injury.

So when Johnson slipped to Atlanta Hawks at No. 20 on draft night, it didn't come as too much of a shock. Johnson was clearly talented, but he was still a relative unknown.

Fast forward four-and-a-half years later, and Johnson is one of the NBA's top budding superstars.

Through the first 11 games of the 2025-26 campaign, Johnson is averaging 21.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.8 steals over 32.3 minutes a night on 57.9/35.5/80.4 shooting splits.

Those are video game numbers for the 23-year-old, and while his perimeter shooting could still use some work, he is clearly coming along in that department.

On a team that features Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis, Johnson may very well be the best player, Johnson has been the best player, which is truly saying something.

Last year, Johnson appeared to be on his way to a massive breakout, posting 18.9 points, 10 boards and five assists per game before a torn labrum ended his campaign 36 games into it. But the 23-year-old was already showing signs then, and clearly, the Hawks saw it even beforehand, which was why they handed him a five-year, $150 million extension last October.

Johnson's playmaking ability is perhaps the most impressive part of his repertoire, especially considering that he logged just 2.2 assists a night in 13 games at Duke.

Defensively, Johnson has all the tools to be genuinely elite, although he still tends to gamble too much and sometimes gets lost. But that's expected of a young player, and the more experience he gains, the better he will get on that end of the floor.

Obviously, Duke has placed countless great players into the NBA, but there has been a slight dropoff in elite Blue Devils talent on the professional level in recent years.

Johnson is certainly aiming to change that, and he is well on pace to secure his first All-Star appearance — potentially the first of many — this season.

We'll see if the Wausau, Wi. native can maintain his level of production and, most importantly, stay healthy as he continues to progress.