When the Brooklyn Nets drafted Noah Clowney with the 21st pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, they drafted him for his upside. Despite his inconsistencies, Clowney’s 6-foot-10 frame, along with his shooting, rebounding, and defensive capabilities, made him a project that teams were willing to take a chance on.
In 2023, Clowney was considered to be a few years away. Now, in 2025, a few years after the Nets drafted him, he’s showing that upside. He has broken out for this young Brooklyn Nets team.
Clowney’s Improved Outside Scoring
The biggest jump Clowney has taken in his game this season is how improved he has been offensively. After a slow start to his season, Clowney has picked it up recently, shooting at a much more consistent rate. His scoring has taken a jump, averaging 19.0 points over his last eight games.
Clowney’s efficiency was put on notice when he had 31 points on 9/17 shooting and 7/13 from three against the Knicks on Nov. 24. Following that up, he had a 20-point game, shooting 6-for-11 from three, with all six makes coming in an 18-point second half, leading to a road win against the Bulls on Dec. 3.
In the Nets’ second-to-last game, he had a 29-point performance, shooting 8-for-15 from the field and 3-for-6 from three, as well as 10-for-12 from the line.
In a Brooklyn offense that attempts 41.2 threes a game, Clowney’s ability to hit threes efficiently has made him a key part of their offense.
Developing an Inside Game
While Clowney was drafted for his outside game, his inside game has taken a major leap on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
Clowney has shown an ability to finish at the rim this season. He has been attacking the paint more, which has completely opened up his offensive game.
His ability to play off the dribble to get to and finish around the rim brings a new element to his game that scouts considered a weakness going into the draft. With his shot-making skills that have already taken a jump so far, his dribble-drive game makes him more than a perimeter scorer and more of a threat on offense.
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Clowney’s improvement inside has also shown on the defensive end.
Over his last nine games, Clowney has been averaging over a block a game, including a three-block game against the Utah Jazz and two blocks against the Philadelphia 76ers.
His rim protection taking a jump makes him more of an impactful defender, given his size and his ability to contest shots and break up passing lanes. If the development defensively from Clowney continues, it will fully flesh him out as a player.
Clowney’s Impact on Brooklyn’s Future
Since Brooklyn drafted four guards with their five first-round picks, and bigs like Nicolas Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe are playing impactful minutes at the center position, a stretch forward who can shoot the ball and open up space for their playmakers and bigs was an area of need for Brooklyn.
In the recent games for the Nets, Clowney has been starting at the four with Egor Demin and Tyrese Martin as the guards, and Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton partnered with him in the frontcourt. With Demin’s strength being his playmaking, Porter being the team’s lead scoring option, and Claxton being a lob-threat and defensive anchor down low, Clowney has delivered perimeter shooting in a big way for Brooklyn.
Clowney’s Future In Brooklyn
Clowney’s efficiency this season has been that step up that the Nets needed, and with the rest of his game rounding into form, his role has taken a major leap. He’s helping continuously increase his long-term outlook in Brooklyn.
Clowney becomes a free agent after the 2026-2027 season. With the way his game has improved lately, he is a player Brooklyn should make a priority to extend and keep as a part of their future.
With Clowney still being 21 years old, the breakout he has had this season make him another young building block needs to stay in Brooklyn.
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