Putting together any pre-draft content that doesn’t drag on about the latest bone-shattering shot Brooklyn took on Saturday will be quite difficult for us here at NetsDaily. Like legendary Scott Sterling, we’ll be up to the challenge, but it’s not going to feel good.
Yes, the Nets will be picking sixth overall in this year’s draft. They fell back three spots while a handful of other teams, already with blue chip talent, lallygagged past them. With the Houston Rockets possessing swap rights over Brooklyn’s
first next year, the team will almost surely have to wait two more years before getting another shot at a top three daft pick.
But while the Nets may not have the pick, but they do have a lottery pick, and it’s already time to address how the guys being mocked in their selection area are looking. The NBA Draft combine is currently taking place. Here’s how popular Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, Keaton Wagler, and Mikel Brown Jr. have done thus far.
Anthrometric Measurements
These measurements were taken on Monday. Here’s how each prospect stacked up. If you’d like to check out hand sizes and weight, you should be able to see results on here on NBA.com
Height with Shoes
- Wagler: 6’5.”
- Brown Jr.: 6’3.5”
- Flemings: 6’2.5”
- Acuff Jr.: 6’2.”
Standing Reach
- Brown Jr.: 8′ 4.5”
- Wagler: 8′ 4.”
- Acuff Jr.: 8′ 2.5”
- Flemings: 8′ 2.5”
Wingspan
- Brown Jr.: 6′ 7.50”
- Acuff Jr.: 6′ 6.50”
- Wagler: 6′ 6.25”
- Flemings: 6′ 3.50”
No surprises here, although Acuff’s wingspan helps compensates for his height. Brown Jr. and Wagler have both been touted for their positional size, while Acuff, and especially Flemings, have not. If you’re in the business of putting together mock drafts, know that Brooklyn largely prioritized positional size with their picks last year.
Brian Lewis reported that Wagler will meet with the Nets on Thursday. Brown Jr. said playing for Brooklyn a “great opportunity.”
And Acuff wants you to know what you’ll be getting if you take him.
Lewis also reports Aday Mara, the 7-footer from Spain and Michigan who’s rocketing up mock drafts and local Zuby Ejifor of St. John’s, a projected second rounder, will meet with Brooklyn on Thursday.
Strength & Agility
Official metrics for all these players have yet to be posted on the NBA’s official site. However, we were able to gather a few from what’s been reported on X (formerly Twitter).
Shuttle Run
- Flemings: 2.69 seconds
- Brown Jr.: 2.89 seconds
- Acuff Jr.: 2.93 seconds
- Wagler: 3.00 seconds
Three Quarter Sprint
- Acuff Jr.: 3.06 seconds
- Flemings: 3.07 seconds
- Brown Jr.: 3.24 seconds
- Wagler: 3.27 seconds
Standing Vertical Leap
- Flemings: 33.5 inches
- Brown Jr.: 33.5 inches
- Wagler: 33.0 inches
- Acuff Jr.: 31.5 inches
Max Vertical Jump
- Flemings: 40.5 inches
- Brown Jr.: 39.5 inches
- Acuff Jr.: 36.5 inches
- Wagler: 36.0 inches
I’d argue Flemings is the big winner here. His athleticism is why he’s just as much in Brooklyn’s pick range as the aforementioned larger prospects. His original max jump was reported at 41.5, but later dropped to 40.5. Nevertheless, the kid can get up.
Shooting Drills
Shooting drills often garner the most attention during the NBA combine. The Nets would wise to pay attention here as well. Last season, Brooklyn posted the league’s worst field goal percentage. They also averaged the 11th most threes per game, yet ranked last in 3-point percentage as well.
Spot-up shooting
- Acuff Jr.: 18/25 (72%)
- Brown Jr.: 18/25 (72%)
- Flemings: 15/25 (60%)
- Wagler: 11/25 (44%)
Shooting off the dribble
- Wagler: 25/30 (83%)
- Acuff Jr.: 24/30 (80%)
- Flemings: 21/30 (70%)
- Brown Jr.: 18/30 (60%)
3-point Star Drill
- Flemings: 19/25 (76%)
- Brown Jr.: 16/25 (64%)
- Acuff Jr.: 13/25 (52%)
- Wagler: 12/25 (48%)
Free throw attempts
- Wagler: 10/10 (100%)
- Brown Jr.: 10/10 (100%)
- Flemings: 8/10 (80%)
- Acuff Jr.: 7/10 (70%)
Side-mid-side
- Flemings: 18/28 (64.3%)
- Acuff Jr.: 13/26 (50%)
- Wagler: 12/28 (42.9%)
- Brown Jr.: 19/27 (70.4%)
As you’ll see, the shooting talent is pretty widespread, arguing there’s no clear winner hear. With offense being the lead selling point for Acuff, I think it’s fair to say it would have been nicer to see him shoot better during the 3-point star drill.
And while these metrics are fun to compare, I’d like to echo what Sam Vecenie of The Athletic said earlier this week. When you’re evaluating a player, game tape and stats from the previous NCAA season should trump this week’s combine results. At the end of the day, it’s a game, not a test you’d take in gym class.
