TORONTO — DerMarr Johnson took the quick route to the NBA, but a tough rookie season is teaching him that the road to success at the highest level will be a long one.

        Johnson, 20, left the University of Cincinnati after just one season and was chosen sixth overall in the NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks. But he has struggled to find minutes in Atlanta's rotation and has averaged fewer than six points, one assist and three rebounds a game.

        Atlanta coach Lon Kruger knows he has a diamond in the rough, but he has limited the rookie's playing time in a crowded Hawks backcourt. He called Johnson's rookie season thus far a success and said he will expect more of Johnson as the season goes on.

        “He's given us some really good stretches and he's given us some stretches like you might expect of a player that young,” Kruger said. “The difference in him between now and in July is like night and day. He carries himself with more confidence, has a better understanding of what's going on, and I think he'll just continue to improve each month.”

        Johnson made an immediate impact as a Bearcat, scoring 18 points in his debut and starting every game at shooting guard.

        In the NBA, he's averaging 17 minutes a game and shooting just 35 percent from the field in his limited role. But unlike others who have joined the league at a tender age to little early success, Johnson is staying confident.

        “It's been up and down, but I really am learning a lot,” he said. “This is a whole new level, and I know that my time will come eventually. Right now I've just got to work as hard as I can and do what the team needs.”

        The Hawks couldn't be a better fit for Johnson. Kruger is a former college coach, having spent the last four years at the University of Illinois.

        The Hawks also are the fourth-youngest team in the league, with an average age of 26.5 years and four starters with fewer than five years of NBA experience.

        Hawks color analyst Mike Glenn compared Johnson's situation to that of Tracy McGrady, who went pro straight from high school and struggled his rookie year. McGrady has turned into a budding superstar, and Glenn expects the same from Johnson, especially as chemistry develops with second-year point guard Jason Terry.

        “All rookies go through a time of uncertainty, a time with some doubts,” Glenn said. “I see that from him sometimes, but he always comes out playing extremely hard, which is what rookies absolutely have to do if they want to improve. Obviously he shows signs of frustration sometimes, but no more than a rookie who would have spent four years in college does.”

        Against the Raptors Friday, Johnson checked into the game at the same time as Toronto first-round pick Morris Peterson.

        Peterson played four seasons at Michigan State and won a national title as a senior.

        On this night, the two young men who took very different paths to the NBA shared similar results: Peterson played 10 minutes and Johnson just five, and each scored two points.

        But the Hawks pulled out a surprising victory, and Johnson left the court all smiles.

        “DerMarr's worked awfully hard to this point, and there's no reason to think he won't continue to do that,” Kruger said. “I'm just really excited to see what lies ahead for him, and I think it will be an outstanding career.”

Playing two sports puts weight on Peek's shoulders Tourney honor surprises UC's Davis Johnson still searching for NBA foothold

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