Grading the 3 Sacramento Kings selections in B/R post-combine mock draft
By Logan Struck
24th Pick: Noah Clowney – PF/C, Alabama
Noah Clowney is a raw prospect with loads of untapped potential. The 18-year-old freshman out of Alabama averaged 9.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game. Clowney is great about using his 6’10” build to his strength on the defensive end, plus his athleticism to play transition defense.
There are loads of defensive big men in the NBA, so what makes Noah Clowney special? Clowney is a rare prospect with his size that can play defense, run in transition, and shoot threes. While Clowney had poor shooting splits this year, shooting 28.3% from deep, he is very comfortable with his shot, which makes it easier for him to become more efficient.
I love the idea of Clowney being a stretch four in the NBA. A prospect his size that can stretch the floor, hit threes from the corner, and guard big men is a sight to see. Clowney’s defensive presence is a big part of his game, especially when he has shown flashes of being able to switch on to smaller players and guard the perimeter.
While Clowney is better at power forward, he can play center when needed. He is a great finisher around the rim and will only get better as he gets stronger. His floor awareness is exceptional, as he is a great cutter and finds open lanes to the basket without the ball.
The two most significant holes in his game are his inconsistent shooting and perimeter defense, but he has shown glimpses of improvement in both.
The Sacramento Kings selecting Noah Clowney with the 24th overall pick would not be a waste, as his potential is through the roof.
I am unsure if he is an immediate impact on the Sacramento Kings.
My biggest issue with this draft is the Kings do not address a significant need in wing depth, along with drafting two big men in Clowney and Jackson-Davis.
