Iowa State Star Jefferson Says Brooklyn Is Where He 'Needs to Be'
Former Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson found his NBA home Thursday night, going to the Brooklyn Nets with the 28th overall pick. The selection caps a journey that saw the skilled big man overcome a late-season ankle injury and prove himself to a franchise that had been watching him all year.
How the Nets Landed Their Target
While the basketball world focused on Brooklyn's blockbuster trade for Julius Randle and the addition of Mikel Brown Jr., the Nets quietly executed a plan to grab the player they wanted all along. Nets General Manager Sean Marks confirmed the team acquired the 28th pick specifically with Jefferson in mind.
It absolutely was, Marks said. Josh was a guy that we have absolutely been all over all year long and watched how he played the game, his skill set. That definitely translates.
Jefferson said the feedback from Brooklyn's front office made it clear he was their guy. The team valued his ability to fill multiple roles on the floor.
They felt that I fit in a lot of spots because of my versatility, Jefferson said. I'm where I need to be. The Nets took a great chance on me, and I'm very thankful for that.
Overcoming the Ankle Injury That Cut Short Iowa State's Title Run
Jefferson's draft stock took a hit when a left ankle sprain ended his NCAA Tournament and dashed Iowa State's championship hopes. The injury created real uncertainty heading into the pre-draft process, but Jefferson attacked his rehabilitation with the same toughness he brings to the court.
When that injury happened, I feel like a lot of things [were] jeopardized from that, Jefferson said. Going into pre-draft, I was like, make the most out of your workouts and attack your rehab hard and everything will go how it needs to go. Very blessed for this position that I'm in and just very thankful.
Some scouts saw an older prospect with limited upside. The Nets saw a winner.
Why Brooklyn Values His Toughness and IQ
Marks praised Jefferson's intangibles, pointing to the edge and physicality that defined his game at Iowa State. The Nets GM made it clear that Jefferson's winning mentality set him apart from other prospects.
High IQ, and when you watch him play, when Iowa State plays through him, his teammates feed off of him, he's definitely a facilitator out there, Marks said. The toughness that he has. So there were a lot of intangibles. And then he's a winner, an absolute flat-out winner. There's an edge to how he plays and a toughness, which we loved.
Jefferson measured at 6-foot-7 and 3/4 inches and 246 pounds at the draft combine. That kind of bulk matters in a playoff environment where physical play determines outcomes, something Brooklyn has lacked in recent seasons.
What Jefferson Brings to the NBA Level
At Iowa State, Jefferson averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. His passing ability from the frontcourt is rare, though his 34.5 percent three-point shooting remains a work in progress.
Jefferson said his physicality will translate immediately while he develops his outside shot.
The thing about my game that's going to translate pretty quickly is my physicality, Jefferson said. The NBA is a physical game right now. You have to be physical in the playoffs to win, and that's what I'm going to bring. Then just continue to work on my shot. Shooting it really well throughout this pre-draft process, a lot of reps. So if I continue to do that, it's going to keep me on the floor. And defending.
He is not a rim protector, but his stout defense and playmaking give head coach Jordi Fernández options. Marks said Jefferson's passing and reads fit perfectly within the coach's system.
Learning Behind Julius Randle
Jefferson will have the chance to learn directly from one of the players he studies on film. He named Randle, along with Paolo Banchero, Draymond Green, Naz Reid and Jaylin Williams, as players he models his game after.
It's going to be huge for me, Jefferson said of playing behind Randle. I watched a lot of Julius Randle film throughout my senior season. It helped me a lot seeing his mid-post, post-up work is a work of art. I'm going to use him as a resource to improve my game and then just get a lot of assists off of him.
The 22-year-old rookie should have a real opportunity to earn frontcourt minutes behind Randle and Michael Porter Jr. as Brooklyn looks to reshape its roster with tougher, more physical players.
Will Jefferson Get Early Playing Time in Brooklyn?
Yes. Jefferson's passing, physicality and basketball IQ give him a clear path to rotation minutes. The Nets lack frontcourt depth, and head coach Jordi Fernández values the kind of playmaking Jefferson provides from the forward position.
How Did the Ankle Injury Affect His Draft Stock?
The left ankle sprain that ended his NCAA Tournament raised concerns about durability and limited his pre-draft workout schedule. Some teams viewed him as an older prospect with limited upside. The Nets looked past those concerns and focused on his production and winning track record at Iowa State.