Clippers grab Kobe Brown with 30th overall pick
The Los Angeles Clippers landed forward Kobe Brown out of Missouri with the final pick of the first round in the 2023 NBA Draft.
The burly forward played four seasons at Missouri. At 23, he's one of the oldest players in the draft. He had his best season as a senior, helping lead the Tigers to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
With the skill to play forward and the strength to play center, Brown slots in as a versatile bench piece who can contribute in the NBA from Day 1.
Bio
Position: Forward
School: Missouri
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 252 lbs
Wingspan: 7-foot-1
Max vertical: 32 inches
2022-23 stats with Missouri
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 55.3 | 45.5 | 79.2 | 6.4 | 2.5 | 15.8 |
Strengths
- Great strength that allows him to hold his own against bigger players
- Improving jump shot allows him to be a true stretch big man
- Uses size and good timing to allow him to scoop up contested rebounds
Weaknesses
- Doesn't have elite length or athletic ability
- Older player limits his future upside and player development
- While his shooting percentage suggests growth, he shot below 26% from deep in his first three college seasons
NBA Comparable: Paul Millsap. Brown will need to cut a bit of weight and add agility to become the complete defender that Millsap turned into. However, they have similar frames and skillful offensive games with perimeter jump shooting and the ability to put the ball on the floor.