Scouting Report: Anthony Brown, SG, Stanford
Tap here to get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class leading up to the NBA draft, which takes place on June 25 in Brooklyn.
When it comes down to it at the end of the day, basketball is about getting buckets.
That's why, despite being somewhat one-dimensional and never really operating as an offensive fulcrum in four years at Stanford, Anthony Brown could hear his name called in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft. Brown can really, really shoot, and since he has the potential to be a quality defender, the 3-and-D label is an easy one to throw on him. That's not to say he'll certainly work out, but having one elite skill can go a long way, and the Danny Green career path isn't an unreasonable upside projection.
Relevant Background
| Position | DraftExpress Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/ Shoes | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG | 27 | 50 | 6' 8.5" | 211 |
| Wingspan | Standing Reach | Max Vertical (in.) | Hand Length (in.) | Body Fat % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6' 11.25" | 8' 8.5" | 34.5 | 8.5 | 6.1% |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 14.8 | 6.9 | 2.5 | 43.1% | 44.1% |
| 2013-14 | 12.3 | 5.0 | 2.1 | 47.5% | 45.3% |
| 2012-13 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 20.0% | 33.3% |
| 2011-12 | 8.1 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 39.7% | 35.3% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Yeah, so, Brown can shoot. Like, really shoot. He shot 40.3 percent from outside for his NCAA career and 75.1 percent from the free-throw line, giving him a projected 36.7-percent mark from long-range at the next level. And those are four-year numbers, ones he improved on in his junior and senior seasons. Beyond that, he's tall, long, and active defensively, and he acquitted himself well guarding opposing wings in the Pac-12. If he can knock down shots and play capable defense, that will buy him the time to develop the other areas of his game.
Weaknesses: It's strange to say, but despite a strong 3-point projection, several analytic models are sour on Brown. That's in large part because his wingspan and defensive acumen didn't produce a strong steal rate, a frequent harbinger of next-level success, and he didn't flash an elite skill outside of shooting. He'll need to bulk up, too, if he's going to defend threes, as he only possesses mid-level athleticism.
Highlight Reel
Note: A good highlight package for Brown curiously wasn't available for this past season, but that may be because watching threes rain in can be repetitive outside of the context of a game.
What to Expect on Draft Day
Teams aren't going to pass on an elite shooter 60 times in one draft. They may do so 30 times, and Brown is firmly on the first-round bubble. He was helped some by some potential Euro-stash players pulling out of the draft, with contending teams in the late 20s now more likely to search for a contributor. Since teams can never have too much shooting, Brown becomes an option at No. 24 for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he could slide well into the second round without raising eyebrows.