PRE-DRAFT REGIMEN INCLUDED COMBINE, NUMEROUS WORKOUTS
good athlete, he can handle the ball, he can defend a little, he’s got some size. But the question you ask is, ‘What is he going to be able to do well in the NBA?’ ”
Despite those concerns, the executive said he would be “shocked” if Brown slid out of the first round.
Brown has put himself through the pre-draft grinder in the months since the end of the college season. He attended the NBA’S official pre-draft combine in Chicago, staged an open workout for NBA teams in Las Vegas and has spent the past three weeks traveling to individual workouts.
Brown knows that developing his skill set — especially his shooting — ultimately will determine his draft position. He made just 29.1 percent of his 3-point attempts at Oregon, and he made just 26.1 percent of his unguarded catch-and-shoot jumpers, according to Synergy Sports data.
“My biggest thing right now is my jump shot,” Brown said. “That’s what a lot of scouts are saying I need to work on, being able to be consistent from the 3-point line, especially moving back (to NBA distance). In college, I didn’t shoot a great percentage, but I feel like I’m getting really good at my 3-point shot now.”
Brown reportedly was not among the 19 players invited to the attend the draft in person, so he won’t get the opportunity to walk across the stage and shake the commissioner’s hand when his name is called. He’s instead hosting a draft party in his hometown, and when he is chosen, it will still be the culmination of a lifetime of work. Meantime, Brown is looking forward to continuing the line of NBA players to come out of Las Vegas.
“It’s been my dream all along,” Brown said. “I’m taking every moment in and enjoying the process, stuff like going to the combine, the workouts, just enjoying every moment because it will go by fast.”