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2023 NBA Draft Profile: Noah Clowney

Could Sacramento be the squad to gamble on Noah Clowney’s upside as a two-way ideal role player? 
By | 20 Comments | Jun 1, 2023

Mar 1, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Noah Clowney (15) shoots a three pointer against the Auburn Tigers during the second half of an NCAA basketball game at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Position: Big

General Info: 18-year-old Freshman, played at Alabama. From Roebuck, SC.

Measurables: 6’10, 210 lbs, reported 7’2 wingspan. Did not participate in the NBA Combine’s Anthropometric Testing, so measurements are from Alabama’s website.

2022-23 Season Statistics: 9.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 1.3 TPG (36 games played, 25.4 minutes a contest), 48.6% FG, 28.3% 3P, 64.9% FT

All hyperlinks in this profile are video clips showcasing the skills discussed. Stats are from Synergy Sports or Basketball Reference. 

On paper, Alabama freshman Noah Clowney seems an ideal fit for nearly any up-and-coming NBA squad to take a swing at. A 6’10 forward who, as an 18-year-old, started every game he played for an SEC title team? Who can possibly shoot, probably protect the basket, maybe switch onto smaller players on the perimeter, and hopefully play both big spots in small-ball lineups without giving up much size? It’s not a hard sell, especially if you believe in your team’s developmental processes to turn a majority of those maybes into yeses. The Kings need size, shooting, and rim protection—could Sacramento be the squad to gamble on Noah’s upside as a two-way ideal role player?

On offense, Clowney served as a 3rd option for Alabama next to 2023 top-5-pick lock Brandon Miller and scoring guard Mark Sears. Per Synergy, Clowney took an equal amount of jump shots as he did attempts at the basket. His size, bounce, and flashes of touch at the rim made him a threat in transition, in the pick-and-roll, and on cuts to the basket; he shot 67.2% on all attempts at the rim, a strong number considering his age and lack of bulk. His second highest scoring play-type was on offensive rebound put-backs. While his overall scoring output wasn’t consistent, his time at Alabama showed exactly why NBA teams should be excited about his offensive game—he profiles as a versatile role player who can move without the ball and score inside and outside without being the focal point of the offense.

That said, his offensive upside is tied to his shot coming up golden. That might be a tough bet to make, considering he shot 28.3% from deep in his one year at Alabama, but Nate Oats and Co. clearly believed in his deep shot because they used him so very often as a floor-spacing catch-and-shoot bomber from the corners. Per Synergy, 95% of Noah’s jumpshots were catch-and-shoot shots—and if you believe in the mechanics (I ain’t a shooting coach, but his shot looks promising to me), it’s easier to overlook the fact that he shot just 29.1% on said shots. If you buy into that big-man floor spacing dream, his early role at the next level is pretty clear. But shooting improvements are never ever a guarantee.

So much of the rest of Clowney’s game is wait-and-see. His handle limits his on-ball upside, and nearly 40% of his drives at Alabama ended in turnovers. At 6’10 and 210 lbs in college, he’s not going to be physically imposing for many NBA forwards and bigs for a while. And while Noah is very much not a ball-hog, he was also not a consistent playmaker; he failed to dish an assist in almost half of the Tide’s games this year. He will have to improve in multiple swing skills to reach the promised offensive versatility.

Clowney flashes true defensive upside, but again with some big question marks. At Alabama, he held opponents to a combined 36.2% shooting on attempts at the basket (0.72 points per play, 89th percentile in the country per Synergy), and he was never afraid of facing up against physical, older players. He was a solid weak-side rim-protector for the Tide, and showed good timing and rotation when drivers attacked the basket. He had plays where he’d shadow his primary assignments on drives and end the play with a massive block, and was a terror in transition for opposing guards. His highlights may overstate his immediate NBA impact—at 210 lbs, he won’t be a traditional low-post-stationed rim protector early in his career. But his timing and length are promising signs that he can be a real shot-blocking and paint-protecting force in the future.

He also showed moments of real switchability, with fluidity beyond his age and size. But above all else, this was one of the more inconsistent parts of his game. Across the same game, he’d have strong moments of on-ball defensive moments, followed by a play where he’d just get left in the dust, reliant on his teammates to clean up. Even if the upside is there, NBA guards and forwards alike will go at Clowney on defense until he proves he can handle it.

Clowney is the prospect equivalent of Schrodinger’s Unicorn—a big man who can or cannot shoot, and who can or cannot protect both the rim and the perimeter. Given his large number of swing skills—and the number of those swing skills that would have to hit to make Noah a contributor, let alone a two-way force—Noah Clowney isn’t like any of the other 1st round picks that Monte McNair has made to this point in his Sacramento tenure. The 18-year-old isn’t anywhere near as polished as Tyrese Haliburton, Davion Mitchell, or Keegan Murray were when they put on Kings uniforms. Unless Clowney takes a massive step forward this year in multiple avenues, it would be hard to see him get real minutes from any competing team, the Kings very much included. He’s a longer-term project player, but one whose two-way ability fits the Sacramento roster exceptionally well. And with Mike Brown and his coaching staff at the helm, now could be a great time for the Kings to take a big swing on a big-time two-way prospect.

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RobHessing
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June 1, 2023 11:56 am

Getting Gerald Wallace vibes, where a raw prospect can’t crack the rotation here and winds up developing somewhere else. Clowney would appear to be a Stockton guy, and greedy me is hoping for someone that can at least flirt with cracking the core rotation at/for the #24 pick.

RobHessing
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June 1, 2023 12:20 pm
Reply to  Bryant

On top of everything else, he’s right handed!

TheGrantNapear
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June 1, 2023 1:30 pm
Reply to  Bryant

Hard to imagine the 24th pick providing much in year one and Clowney is so raw to begin with. I can see MM packaging the two seconds to move up to the late teens to try and nab a player that can contribute in year one, which would be in line with MM’s MO.

eddie41
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June 1, 2023 12:52 pm

no thanks. tie goes to the non-clown.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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June 1, 2023 1:55 pm

He feels like a project player that a lottery team picks with a 2nd first round pick in hopes of finding a diamond in the rough. I’m not sure that is what the Kings need right now. IMO, Monte is going to be looking for someone who can contribute right away or is clearly a positive force on the defensive end. Clowney seems like neither of those.

Jack
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June 1, 2023 3:00 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

IMO that’s isn’t going to happen in this years draft. If we can find a player now in the NBA that fits our needs then a trade is the thing to do. Might take all 3 picks.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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June 1, 2023 5:22 pm
Reply to  Jack

I think you might find a solid rotational player that can give you a dependable 15-18 minutes per game. That’s basically the role Naz Reid has carved out for himself. If there is a Naz Reid type player at #24, take him on his rookie deal as opposed to trying to bid on Naz Reid in free agency that will end up costing you a lot more.

Just spitballing, but maybe Trayce Jackson-Davis or Jalen Wilson is that guy. Kings had both of them in for workouts this past week, and both are experienced seniors. They fit the Monte “type.”

That same goes for a 3 and D wing that could potentially supplant Edwards in the rotation. I don’t think Monte is looking for a homerun at #24, he’s just looking incremental improvement. Maybe Jamie Jaquez or Sidy Cissoko is that guy.

Last edited 9 months ago by Adamsite
Jack
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June 2, 2023 9:30 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Go back to Vezenkov post and look at my comment and tell me what you think?

murraytant
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June 2, 2023 12:18 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Bryant- good write up and analysis.

I was high on Clowney for about 2 weeks, for what that opinion is worth.
Now I think Kings need a dependable rotation guy who fits a need (rim protection and rest for Domas) or replacement for TD (scoring from the 2 guard spot off the bench)
Clowney is too young, too much of a reach. If a team is settled into a top slot in the West or has multiple first round picks then such a flyer is ok but not at this critical junction.
Kings are going to have to use draft, free agency and trade routes to get better.
They may package all 3 (they do have a fourth- Sasha) to get a single vet player on a good contract, young and fits a need. They may go Monte conservative: then I like some combination of TJD, Jalen Wilson and Sidy Cissoko in the 24 and 36 slots Not perfect but goes in right direction, sets up a Sasha signing and a free agent like Naz Reid.
I also like Yuta Watanabe- I think better than Edwards.
anything for Holmes and HB? he is valuable but is his cap money more valuable?

Hamlet1989
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June 2, 2023 6:55 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Fully agree

Hobby916
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June 1, 2023 3:46 pm

Give me Colby Jones. He should be able to come in and get those TD minutes and the “Davion is having himself and off-night” minutes.

Clowney will take some time, and may or may not be a solid contributor in a few years.

murraytant
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June 2, 2023 12:20 am
Reply to  Hobby916

Jones is indeed an option but seems high at 24 and he will be gone at 38.
But this is a need – a bigger TD who can score

richie88
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June 1, 2023 8:02 pm

I think that Clowney would have to improve a lot to become a good shooter. His perimeter defense also needs to improve. Those questions are enough for me to think he’ll probably be below some other prospects if he’s available when the Kings pick.

Klam
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Nostradumbass 19
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June 1, 2023 10:19 pm

Sean Cunningham catching up with Sabonis at the Sac Zoo, apparently waiting to hear back whether surgery is needed on his hand.
https://twitter.com/SeanCunningham/status/1664477070557315072

andy_sims
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June 5, 2023 11:56 am
Reply to  Klam

Seems like that would’ve been a conversation to have a month ago instead of now. The delay is incomprehensible if he’s going to play opening night.

Milkman
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June 1, 2023 11:26 pm

Need more “now side” (eg Toumani Camara, Trayce Jackson Davis, Hunter Tyson, etc) than “up side” right now.

Hamlet1989
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June 2, 2023 7:28 am

I finally took some tome to watch some of the big prospects upcoming, and the only ones I was really impressed with were, Trayce-Jackson, Lively, and James Nnaji. Trace-Jackson is a really interesting player with real upside who I could see helping the Kings though rebounding, and some rim protection using his hops. He also is a terror in transition due to his athleticism, and impressive outlet passing, but at his size, and with his shooting deficiencies, I don’t see him solving a lot of problems in Sac.
Lively likely won’t fall to #24, but, assuming Murray is already gone, I would probably make that pick. All NBA rosters need that super-sized defensive big that can vie with the Goberts, and Wembenyama, AD types. Alex Len played that role in a diminished capacity, but the Kings need a legitimate force with actual athletic ability in that spot. Lively could definitely fill that role.
Nnaji seems underrated by most. NBA GM’s will likely have him higher, as he is a VERY physical force in a very physical league, as an 18 year old playing against big, hairy, men (thanks JR). He can’t shoot a lick, and will be a 5th option on offense in any line-up, so he won’t need touches. He’ll get his buckets running the floor, catching lobs, playing above-the-rim, and out-muscling, out-hustling everyone. He’s a long, tall, athletic, shot-blocker who isn’t entirely unskilled with the ball. He could be a poor-man’s Dwight Howard. I definitely see a role for him in the NBA, and he could be a steal at #24.

murraytant
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June 2, 2023 11:09 pm

I would be shocked if the Kings take Clowney. He is too young for the draft brain trust- as is often cited, the Kings like players who are known.
They could trade all 3 picks for a vet, take some proven guys and trade the 38 or 54. I suspect TJD, Omax, Cissoko or Jalen Wilson- all proven guys.
The draft always raises my anxiety and my search for favorite prospective players, and I am usually let down or at least afterward there is a letdown.
IMO- the Kings do sign Sasha and will avoid drafting 3 more rookies. Rosters are expanded- so Oscar Tswshebwe will come as a undrafted free agent.
Kings will resign Lyles but HB will be let go, Hopefully sign and trade.

BTW- duds are working out Lively- how is he different than “James”? They do need big guys but he does not seem ready to contribute to a team that is desperate.
Brandon Miller goes second, leaving Portland with a choice of the redundant Scoot or a trade.

aplumley
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June 5, 2023 7:20 am

Looking into the second round I’d love to take a swing on Emoni Bates. NBA MVP ceiling and never play in the NBA floor. But such a rare ability to make difficult shots.

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