Nets Rookie Noah Clowney Progressing Amid Challenges

This season, focused on developing young talent, the Nets had only two of their five rookie first-round picks available during their game at the Garden on Sunday.

Yet, there’s another young player whose development is just as critical.

Noah Clowney, at just 21 and younger than many of his draft classmates, showcased some of his best basketball last week. But unfortunately, he struggled against the Knicks on Sunday, which has left fans eager to see how he continues to improve.

Clowney, an athletic forward, needs to enhance both his mental and physical game. Quick recovery from mistakes is essential if he wants to reach his previous defensive standards.

“The truth is, Noah made many winning plays last year—plays that helped us win games,” Jordi Fernandez mentioned. “Whether it’s verticality, charging, or rebounding, we haven’t seen that from him this year. He’s capable of it. He’s been working hard, but it often takes him time to grasp things.”

“It’s crucial for him to move on swiftly from mistakes, as lingering emotions can negatively impact play. This is something I’ve seen in great players; they make errors but bounce back quickly to focus on the next play,” he added.

Fernandez expressed confidence that Clowney would improve, emphasizing his potential to impact games through both shooting and defense.

Clowney recognizes he tends to overthink his gameplay but believes he’s making strides. Still, there’s room for improvement when it comes to reclaiming his defensive prowess from last season.

“I feel we’re managing to shift our focus to the next play well,” Clowney said. “Regarding verticality, I have to refine my timing and approach opponents more swiftly.”

Nets supporters are watching the rookie class closely, including Egor Demin and Drake Powell, who played in Sunday’s game, along with others like Ben Saraf and Nolan Traore in the G League. Interestingly, Clowney is still younger than several of these players, including Danny Wolf and fellow rookies Cedric Coward and Neek Clifford.

He has been working hard to bulk up this summer and improve his driving skills. Starting his fourth consecutive game at the Garden, he’s averaging about 17 points in just over 30 minutes, along with a decent shooting performance from beyond the arc.

These developments are promising. However, the Nets require him to step up defensively, which is equally vital for the team.

Fernandez noted, “Noah is consistently progressing. He knows he needs to enhance his defense and become more assertive.” He highlighted the importance of communication on the court, whether on or off the ball, and praised Clowney’s basketball IQ.

Finally, when asked about his approach, Clowney simply stated, “Believe in your work. Trust in what I did this summer. That’s the key.”