LAS VEGAS — Chaney Johnson might be undersized, underrated and an underdog. But he won’t be outworked.
The second-year Net — who hustled his way 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 thing, they asked about all of our rookies: ‘Who’s the one guy you haven’t talked about?’ I was like, ‘It’s Chaney Johnson.’ And the reason is Chaney has to play at the center just because we need him to play the center.
“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 points, 10 rebounds and five steals — all game highs — in Brooklyn’s 83-76 loss to Atlanta.
He’s scored double figures in all four of his appearances — from the California Classic to Las Vegas — and done it all playing out of position, asked to play center.
“That dude is a dog,” Egor Demin said. “He’s the type that he’s the favorite teammate of anybody, because he does all the hard work without 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 points on 64.7 percent shooting, 8.8 rebounds and 2.8 steals this summer.
And he’s done it being tasked with playing center despite standing just 6-foot-7.
“I hang my hat on going out there and playing hard, just controlling everything I can control,” Johnson said.
Asked if center is a position he could grow 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 end of the spectrum, Drake Powell is mired in a horrendous funk. He’s mustered just 11 points through four appearances, shooting 1-for-28 overall 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 nine points on 1-for-8 shooting.
Danny Wolf had 20 points on 9-for-16 shooting with five boards but had just one assist with four turnovers.
“We need the inverse,” Gaitley said.
Rookie Zuby Ejiofor from St. John’s had 13 points and six boards for Atlanta.
