{"id":4358,"date":"2026-07-12T14:30:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T09:30:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=4358"},"modified":"2026-07-12T14:30:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T09:30:13","slug":"chaney-johnson-impressing-nets-with-hustle-and-athleticism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=4358","title":{"rendered":"Chaney Johnson impressing Nets with hustle and athleticism"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<p>LAS VEGAS \u2014 Chaney Johnson might be undersized, underrated and an underdog. But he won\u2019t be outworked.<\/p>\n<p>The second-year Net \u2014 who hustled his way from undrafted rookie last season to a two-way contract \u2014 is making an impression in Summer League with his hustle and athleticism.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignright\">\n\t<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI knew Chaney was a beast. It\u2019s further confirmed,\u201d assistant coach Dutch Gaitley said. \u201cIn the ESPN thing, they asked about all of our rookies: \u2018Who\u2019s the one guy you haven\u2019t talked about?\u2019 I was like, \u2018It\u2019s Chaney Johnson.\u2019 And the reason is Chaney has to play at the center just because we need him to play the center.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf we needed Chaney to play point guard, Chaney would play point guard. He does whatever is called for the team. He\u2019s an outstanding teammate. He plays as hard as anybody on the court. I think he\u2019s got a really bright future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Johnson had 20 points, 10 rebounds and five steals \u2014 all game highs \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/12\/sports\/nets-looking-for-keon-ellis-to-bring-strong-3-and-d-profile\/\">in Brooklyn\u2019s 83-76 loss to Atlanta<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s scored double figures in all four of his appearances \u2014 from the California Classic to Las Vegas \u2014 and done it all playing out of position, asked to play center.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat dude is a dog,\u201d Egor Demin said. \u201cHe\u2019s the type that he\u2019s 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\u2019s what he\u2019s doing.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cSometimes I feel bad because we don\u2019t reward him enough for his work out there to help us to be successful. He takes it very humbly from a standpoint of, \u2018Hey, I\u2019m here for you and anybody else.\u2019 The level of my appreciation towards him is hard to explain. He\u2019s amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Johnson is averaging 15 points on 64.7 percent shooting, 8.8 rebounds and 2.8 steals this summer.<\/p>\n<p>And he\u2019s done it being tasked with playing center despite standing just 6-foot-7.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"39960065\"><br \/>\n\t<default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><default:path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/default:svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img style=\"aspect-ratio:1.57055215;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"39960065\" width=\"927\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"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.\" class=\"wp-image-39960065\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 4436w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=300,191&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=768,489&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=1024,652&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=1536,979&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=2048,1305&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=600,382&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 600w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=878,559&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 878w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=744,474&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 744w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=576,367&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 576w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=440,280&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 440w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=424,270&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 424w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=180,115&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 180w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=107,68&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 107w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=63,40&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 63w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=110,70&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 110w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=85,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 85w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=200,127&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=231,147&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=322,205&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=664,423&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 664w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=94,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 94w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=126,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 126w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=1200,764&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=87,55&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=234,149&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 234w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Chaney-Johnson.jpg?resize=50,32&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 927px) 100vw, 927px\"\/><figcaption>Chaney Johnson rises up for a dunk during the Nets\u2019 83-76 Summer League loss to the Hawks on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas. <span class=\"credit\">NBAE via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cI hang my hat on going out there and playing hard, just controlling everything I can control,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n<p>Asked if center is a position he could grow into, he replied, \u201cIt\u2019s whatever gets me paid, you know what I\u2019m saying? I\u2019ll do whatever it takes. So whatever the team needs, I\u2019m there.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p>On the other end of the spectrum, Drake Powell is mired in a horrendous funk. He\u2019s mustered just 11 points through four appearances, shooting 1-for-28 overall and 0-for-14 from deep.<\/p>\n<div class=\"single__inline-module inline-module inline-module--newsletter aligncenter inline-module--nypostbusinessunit aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-newsletter\" data-source-unit=\"Inline Newsletter Module Membership - Inside the Nets\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__inner\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__title-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__unsubmitted-title-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFollow all the basketball buzz in Brooklyn\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"inline-module__cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for Inside the Nets by Brian Lewis, exclusively on Sports+.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThank you\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Demin and rookie Mikel Brown Jr. were rested Saturday but are expected to play Tuesday vs. the Kings. \u2026 Joshua Jefferson made his debut with nine points on 1-for-8 shooting.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p>Danny Wolf had 20 points on 9-for-16 shooting with five boards but had just one assist with four turnovers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe need the inverse,\u201d Gaitley said.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p>Rookie Zuby Ejiofor from St. John\u2019s had 13 points and six boards for Atlanta.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LAS VEGAS \u2014 Chaney Johnson might be undersized, underrated and an underdog. But he won\u2019t be outworked. The second-year Net \u2014 who hustled his way from undrafted rookie last season to a two-way contract \u2014 is making an impression in Summer League with his hustle and athleticism. \u201cI knew Chaney was a beast. It\u2019s further&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4359,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/newspress-collage-2z4om9hcq-1783848348651.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&1783833958&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4358","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4358","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4358"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4358\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4358"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4358"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4358"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}