Nets 2023 Summer League preview: Rookies Noah Clowney, Jalen Wilson lead the charge
Las Vegas Summer League is the first chance fans get to see their teams’ newest prospects on the court as professionals for the first time. While Brooklyn will be missing one of their 2023 draft picks in Dariq Whitehead, there’s still plenty to watch out for as the Nets enter this new era.
Here’s a preview of what to expect from them in Vegas.
Brooklyn opens up their Summer League on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, followed by a match-up with their cross-river rival Knicks on July 9. Their next two games are against the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors on July 11 and 13, respectively, with a fifth game to be announced.
Leading the way for the Nets are two of their draft picks this year, Noah Clowney and Jalen Wilson. Brooklyn selected Clowney 21st overall and Wilson deep in the second round.
Clowney is a potential-packed 6-foot-10 forward who spent just one season at Alabama, averaging 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He’s a tantalizing 18-year-old that can already defend and finish, but potentially even space his game beyond the three-point arc thanks to a pretty stroke.
Wilson is a 6-foot-6 wing scorer who spent his collegiate career at Kansas, winning the national championship in 2022 and averaging over 20 points per game this past year. If he adjusts to NBA athleticism well and can find his stroke from three he’ll be someone to keep a close eye on.
Joining the drafted rookies are familiar faces David Duke Jr. and RaiQuan Gray, a couple of Brooklyn’s two-way guys.
Duke Jr. was drafted by the Nets a couple of seasons ago and has been trying to gain a foothold in the league. The athletic guard needs to show further offensive development to earn that, but another Vegas appearance could be just the platform to do so.
Gray could definitely use this summer as a springboard after appearing in only one NBA game and a handful of G-League contests due to various injuries. He’ll be one of the veterans on the roster and likely one of its go-to bigs.
Brooklyn brought in other faces from their Long Island affiliate as well, trying to impart the culture on their young core early. Kameron Hankerson and Trey McGowens are two of those guys hoping they can earn a training camp invite.
The remainder of the roster is a mix of retread fringe guys trying to make their way up from various G-League and overseas teams. Adonis Arms, Armani Brooks, Kennedy Chandler, Jordan Hall, Matt Lewis, Nick Perkins and Jamorko Pickett may not be the first names fans flock to, but if they put on a show in Vegas they could make headway.
The Nets seemingly opted against bringing in any 2023 undrafted rookies, betting on their picks and players with some experience. They’ll look to find some diamonds in the rough when Las Vegas Summer League gets underway in a matter of days.
