Following the conclusion of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers quietly acquired a multi-time champion to the roster: UConn big man Samson Johnson to an Exhibit 10 contract (h/t Ian Begley of SNY). Johnson spent his entire collegiate career at UConn, winning two NCAA Championships during his tenure in 2023 and 2024. Furthermore, the Togo native is the all-time winningest player in the school's history.
While it is not at the same level as guys like Pascal Siakam bring, Johnson brings championship experience to the Pacers, which could bode well for his career with the team. As it stands, it seems unlikely Johnson will be able to carve out a role during his rookie year. However, with there being uncertainty at the center position for the Pacers, he remains a name to keep an eye on. Furthermore, he has a lot of unique traits that, if they can translate to the NBA, could make him an asset down the line.
Samson Johnson is an intriguing addition for the Pacers
It is not much of a shock that Johnson went undrafted, though there were some mock drafts that projected he could have gone late in the second round. Regardless of how it happened, he made his way to Indiana and could be a solid acquisition for the team.
At 6'10", Johnson has good size to him and should be able to play both positions in the NBA. Having versatility and the ability to play multiple positions is always a plus in the league, so it seems like he has this going for him right away. The UConn product is a very athletic big man who provides a lot of energy on the court and has a high motor. On its own, this is an archetype that fits seamlessly in Indiana's system.
Johnson also provides a good paint presence on both sides of the ball, being a solid shot-blocker and rim scorer. In his final year at UConn, he averaged 1.5 blocks per game. Furthermore, in each of his last two collegiate seasons, he shot 73.5% and 76.6% from inside the arc, respectively. Both of these numbers led the NCAA each season.
On the flip side, however, Johnson possesses a lot of negatives, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. More specifically, he has no perimeter shot and has a lot of room to grow in the post. Johnson has a lot of raw talent and might be able to provide some value to the Pacers if his potential can be fully realized, but he is more of a project than anything else at this point. Even so, there is a lot to like about his presence with the Pacers.
There is a very slim chance that Johnson plays any type of consistent role with the Pacers next season, and he will likely spend most of his time in the G League to polish his game, if anything. Still, you cannot teach athleticism and motor, and he has both of those covered. As the offseason progresses, the Pacers will have a lot of questions to answer regarding their big man positions. However, along the way, it may be important to keep Johnson in mind, who brings a lot of intrigue to the team.