2016 NBA Mock Draft: Bender and Hield Both Drop
By Jay Siskin
The former Golden Bear measured at 6’7 in shoes with a 7’0.5 wingspan at 222 pounds. Brown shot 48% inside the arc, 29% from three, and 65% from the line for the Golden Bears, Brown didn’t have the easiest time translating his game to the college ranks. With 51% of his shot attempts in the half court coming from the perimeter.
Brown averaged 14.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game as a true freshman at California. Brown was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Pac-12 First Team, solidifying himself as a top-10 pick despite plenty of ups and downs. Brown can contribute right away for the Nuggets with his ability to rebound on the defensive glass, which provides him opportunities to grab-and-go.
Pushing the ball up the court is one of the solid aspects of Brown’s game. He can change speeds in the open floor and expose a scrambling defense with his ability to attack the rim with his explosiveness, finishing at the rim with power.
Brown has exhibited good lateral quickness to keep pace in isolation and has a 7-0 wingspan to contest shots effectively and be a threat to block shots as the trailer recovering from navigating over ball-screens. He can give the Nuggets some more depth and insurance at the wing as Wilson Chandler returns from injury. Brown can has the time to develop behind Will Barton, Danillo Gallinari and Chandler.
He’s a big wing who has the ability play the four in a small-ball lineup situation, and big wings who can play the four in small-ball lineups are more valuable than ever in this version of the NBA
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