Brooklyn Nets select Noah Clowney in 2023 NBA Draft

After an impressive career at Alabama, Noah Clowney has officially heard his name called in the 2023 NBA Draft. The Brooklyn Nets selected him with the No. 21 overall pick Thursday night.

Clowney put up impressive numbers this past season with the Crimson Tide, averaging 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game as a freshman. He also shot 48.6% from the field, which ranked second on the roster only to Charles Bediako. He also started all 36 of the games in which he played.

Alabama had a banner season in 2022-23, finishing with a 31-6 overall record and entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed. The Crimson Tide advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, where the season ended at the hands of San Diego State as part of the Aztecs’ run to the national championship.

On April 1, Clowney announced his plans to declare for the draft in an Instagram post which featured a lengthy message to Alabama fans.

“Thank you, Bama Nation!” Clowney said in his post. “This season has been one of the most memorable years of my life. Ever since I could pick up a basketball, playing in the NBA has been a dream of mine and throughout my life I have had amazing coaches, teammates and staff that have shown me unconditional love and support throughout my basketball career. … With that being said, I have decided to declare for the NBA Draft.”

Clowney played high school basketball at Roebuck (SC), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 77 overall prospect from the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NBA Draft experts are saying about Noah Clowney

At 6-foot-10 and 210 pounds, Clowney could have a future as a big man in the association, especially when it comes to his rebounding and defense. If he can develop a three-point shot, he might be able to help space the floor on offense.

“Clowney is a wiry big who may spend time at the four and five at the NBA level depending on the team’s system and/or how consistent his three-pointer becomes,” Rotowire’s evaluation of Clowney said. “Offensively, he showed upside to space from the corners and work in the pick-and-pop, and his length and soft hands allow him to catch and finish off cuts to the hoop.

“He’s an impactful rebounder. Defensively, he’s mobile and disciplined, so he may be extra valuable to a team that switches and hedges its bigs onto perimeter players.