Nets add Noah Clowney with 21st pick in NBA draft
The Brooklyn Nets chose Alabama forward Noah Clowney with the 21st pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Seen as a likely multi-year prospect entering the season, Clowney flashed tantalizing potential in a complementary role as a freshman at Alabama that made him an obvious choice to bypass the rest of his college eligibility. While his jump shot didn't fall at an efficient clip, his willingness and fluidity on the perimeter are an exciting proposition.
There are still many more hypotheticals than actual production in Clowney's game, but he has the athletic ability and supreme length to make good on it all. He needs to build up strength and might be a year or two away from meaningful contributions in the NBA, but there's a reasonable chance he pops as a valuable piece in due time.
Bio
Position: Forward
School: Alabama
College experience: Freshman
Height: 6-foot-10
Weight: 210 lbs
Wingspan: 7-foot-2
Max vertical: N/A
2022-23 stats with Alabama
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 48.6 | 28.3 | 64.9 | 7.9 | 0.8 | 9.8 |
Strengths
- Great lateral quickness, size, and mobility with long strides make him an ideal transition threat.
- Solid finisher around the rim, normally able to finish opportunities with efficient dunks versus challenging layups.
- Has solid instincts on defense, which, mixed with his athletic talent, makes him a versatile defensive weapon.
- Comfortable operating on the perimeter and shows flashes of ability in that realm.
Weaknesses
- Needs to add significant weight to his frame in order to maximize his athletic potential.
- Though he does attempt jumpers, his percentages (28% from three, 65% from free throw) leave lots to be desired.
- Still a very raw prospect who had significant growing pains at Alabama.
- Currently isn't skilled enough to be a true wing, but doesn't possess the strength to battle with most NBA bigs.
NBA comparable: Kevon Looney. Before Looney became the burly rebounding machine he's turned into with the Warriors, he flashed decent faceup potential on a wiry frame as a late first-round pick. If Clowney is able to put on weight in the same way Looney did, he could similarly carve out a valuable role as an undersized big man.