Jalen Pickett selected in NBA Draft by Denver Nuggets

Intimately familiar with the NBA and the style of basketball played within it, former Penn State head coach Micah Shrewsberry offered a straightforward assessment of Jalen Pickett‘s potential in the NBA. An assistant with Brad Stevens’ term with the Boston Celtics from 2013 to 2019 before returning to Matt Painter’s bench at Purdue, Shrewsberry insisted a singular element will dictate Pickett’s potential in the league. 

“I think he’s got a place,” Shrewsberry said last season. “A lot of stuff in the NBA is, you gotta get somebody to believe in you, first of all. You got to have some person that believes in you and gives you a chance.”

Thursday night, Pickett found that supporter. Taken with the 32nd overall pick in the second round of the NBA Draft, Pickett is headed to Denver Nuggets to continue his basketball career as a professional.

Highly sought for his passing ability, his pick and roll proficiency, his defensive prowess and versatility, with physicality, Pickett brought to fruition a plan that took shape through the course of his Consensus All-American 2022-23 season with the Nittany Lions.

“If he continues to play the way he’s playing, he’s starting to turn more heads. People are starting to take a little more notice. So maybe he is getting somebody to believe in him, and that’s the biggest thing,” Shrewsberry said, turning to Pickett’s complementary strengths off the court. “There’s a lot of talented people that are not playing in the NBA because of a myriad of different reasons. Some of those reasons, you’re not going to run up against with him. 

“He’s not gonna get in trouble, he’s gonna do what he’s supposed to do, he’s gonna work on his game. That’s who he is. He’s a hard worker, So, he’s going to earn a spot, I think. I think he can earn a spot, I think he can earn an opportunity. And then he has to take advantage of it when he gets there.”

With his selection in the NBA Draft on Thursday night, Pickett has cemented that opportunity.

Jalen Pickett

6-foot-2, 209 pounds

The Athletic: No. 55

The Ringer: No. 60

ESPN: No. 64

What they’re saying: Pickett is tiered with the “Two-Ways, Stashes, Exhibit 10s” by The Athletic. He’s described as being “among the craftier finishers” in the draft class, using a toolbox of moves to keep defenders off balance and get his points regardless of the matchup. 

Those assets, his awesome basketball IQ and his unique scoring ability are highlights against the biggest “weakness” that The Athletic cites, over which Pickett has no control. He’s “on the shorter end and isn’t a major athlete,” “doesn’t have a ton of burst in terms of first step,” and “doesn’t have much lift or vertical pop around the basket.” Oh, and he also “has extremely small hands for his size.”

That leaves Pickett as having “a challenge finding a fit” in the NBA due to his “odd style of play.” Still, credited with having improved his shooting throughout his career, Pickett has an overall game that is expected to be given an opportunity and utilized in the NBA.

What we’re saying: The Athletic diagnosis of Pickett’s game aligns well with what we saw at Penn State. It also aligns with how that might look for him moving on to the NBA. Using analytics, Pickett averaged eight post-ups per game last season. It was the most by any guard nationally. He then turned it into excellent assists to the perimeter and his scoring production. 

The Athletic’s take: “Won’t be able to do this at the NBA level, so will have to thrive in ball-screen scenarios.” Sounds about right for the NBA’s length and size and the problems that could present for him. 

What needs to be noted, however, is that Pickett’s usage was an evolution at Penn State. He’s versatile and can produce his points and assists in a variety of ways. He demonstrated that over his two seasons with the Nittany Lions. Given the right opportunity, Pickett has the ingredients to stick in the NBA.