Nets select Nicolas Claxton with No. 31 pick
With the No. 31 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Brooklyn Nets selected Georgia center Nicolas Claxton.
Claxton was one of the brights spots on a lowly Bulldogs squad that only finished above winless Vanderbilt in SEC play. The 20-year-old made huge strides in his first full season as a starter, increasing his scoring average by nine points and his rebounding by nearly five per contest. Claxton also led the SEC with 2.5 blocks per game and was rewarded with second-team All-SEC honors.
His performance at the NBA Draft Combine has further elevated his stock. Claxton ranked first among participating centers in standing vertical leap, max vertical leap, and lane agility. The South Carolina native fits the profile of the modern NBA big with his versatility and potential to stretch the floor.
Bio
Position: PF/C
School: Georgia
College Experience: Sophomore
Height: 6-foot-11
Weight: 217 lbs
Wingspan: 7-foot-2
Max vertical: 36.5 inches
Strengths
- He's quick enough to stay in front of guards and has the length to contest shots
- Elite rim-protector; has the recovery speed to block shots if beaten off the bounce
- Has point forward-like qualities; he's an adequate ball-handler for his size with the ability to carry the rock upcourt in transition and initiate the offense
- Makes good cuts off the ball
Weaknesses
- Will need to bulk up to handle physical big men at the next level
- While capable of hitting shots from distance, his jump shot remains a work in progress
- Likely needs couple of seasons before he fully develops