Noah Clowney’s Progress with the Brooklyn Nets

Noah Clowney’s second season has been somewhat challenging, largely due to multiple ankle sprains. However, his development is not considered a concern, as Coach Jordi Fernandez expressed confidence in him.

After a rocky beginning to the season, where Clowney felt he was “too conservative” on the court, things began to shift. Following the Nets’ difficult 0-7 start, the 21-year-old has truly found his rhythm, and the team’s belief in him seems to be paying off.

In the last 16 games, Clowney has averaged 16.6 points, with a shooting percentage of 45% from the field and around 40% from three-point range. This is a stark contrast to his first seven games of the season, during which he managed only 5.5 points and shot 27%.

Reflecting on his early struggles, Clowney shared, “I stopped caring because I didn’t want to mess it up. I thought I could either look crazy or do what I was supposed to do and look cool. I think my problem was I cared too much about outside perceptions. What really mattered was my teammates and coaching staff, who observed my journey all summer.” He realized it was crucial to stay true to himself and, importantly, to play with conviction rather than hesitance.

Clowney is currently logging more minutes than ever, averaging about 28 minutes per game. He’s been given increased opportunities, especially while playing alongside veterans like Michael Porter Jr. and Nick Claxton.

His performances have benefited from playing with experienced teammates. For instance, he scored notably well in games against Charlotte (18 points) and the Bulls (20 points). The trio of Clowney, Porter, and Claxton boasts a net rating of +3.37 throughout 304 minutes they’ve been on the court together.

“It’s always easy to play with Mike,” Clowney stated. “You have to respect him, which opens up the game. If Mike is on the floor, the best defender is probably focused on him. That allows me to find my rhythm more easily, and I’ve definitely seen growth because of it.”

On another note, Haywood Highsmith has been working on his free throws during practice, but there hasn’t been a new update regarding his recovery from surgery on his right knee, following a torn meniscus.

In October, Highsmith encountered some complications during rehabilitation, leading him to pause. “We like his progress, but there are no updates yet,” Fernandez added, “but he’s doing very well.”