LAS VEGAS — Chaney Johnson might be undersized, underrated and an underdog. But he won’t be outworked.
The second-year Net — who hustled his means from undrafted rookie last season to a two-way contract — is making an impression in Summer League with his hustle and athleticism.
“I knew Chaney was a beast. It’s further confirmed,” assistant coach Dutch Gaitley said. “In the ESPN factor, they requested about all of our rookies: ‘Who’s the one man you haven’t talked about?’ I was like, ‘It’s Chaney Johnson.’ And the motive is Chaney has to play at the heart just because we want him to play the heart.
“If we needed Chaney to play point guard, Chaney would play point guard. He does whatever is called for the team. He’s an outstanding teammate. He plays as hard as anybody on the court. I think he’s got a really bright future.”
Johnson had 20 factors, 10 rebounds and 5 steals — all recreation highs — in Brooklyn’s 83-76 loss to Atlanta.
He’s scored double figures in all 4 of his appearances — from the California Classic to Las Vegas — and completed it all taking part in out of place, requested to play heart.
“That dude is a dog,” Egor Demin said. “He’s the kind that he’s the favourite teammate of anybody, because he does all the onerous work with out feeling like we owe him something. He just does it because that’s what he’s doing.
“Sometimes I feel bad because we don’t reward him enough for his work out there to help us to be successful. He takes it very humbly from a standpoint of, ‘Hey, I’m here for you and anybody else.’ The level of my appreciation towards him is hard to explain. He’s amazing.”
Johnson is averaging 15 factors on 64.7 % taking pictures, 8.8 rebounds and 2.8 steals this summer time.
And he’s completed it being tasked with taking part in heart despite standing just 6-foot-7.
Chaney Johnson rises up for a dunk during the Nets’ 83-76 Summer League loss to the Hawks on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas. NBAE via Getty Images
“I hang my hat on going out there and playing hard, just controlling everything I can control,” Johnson said.
Asked if heart is a place he could develop into, he replied, “It’s whatever gets me paid, you know what I’m saying? I’ll do whatever it takes. So whatever the team needs, I’m there.”
On the other finish of the spectrum, Drake Powell is mired in a horrendous funk. He’s mustered just 11 factors through 4 appearances, taking pictures 1-for-28 total and 0-for-14 from deep.
Demin and rookie Mikel Brown Jr. were rested Saturday but are expected to play Tuesday vs. the Kings. … Joshua Jefferson made his debut with 9 factors on 1-for-8 taking pictures.
Danny Wolf had 20 factors on 9-for-16 taking pictures with 5 boards but had just one help with 4 turnovers.
“We need the inverse,” Gaitley said.
Rookie Zuby Ejiofor from St. John’s had 13 factors and six boards for Atlanta.
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