As the 28th overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, rookie forward Joshua Jefferson joins the Brooklyn Nets after a dazzling senior year at Iowa State.
Jefferson was a consensus second-team All-American last season, averaging 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 34.5% from 3-point range. He ranked sixth in the country in box plus-minus (plus-13.0) and 19th in win shares (6.1).
The 6-foot-8 Jefferson was one of 13 players since 2000 to average at least 16 points, seven rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He was the fifth consensus All-American in program history and the first since Georges Niang (2016).
Brooklyn acquired the draft rights to Jefferson, along with three-time All-Star Julius Randle, in a four-team
trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The trade, which was agreed upon on June 22, was officially completed on July 10.
The 22-year-old logged three appearances with the Nets in summer league, averaging 7.3 points, two steals, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 33.3% from the field. He debuted on July 11, recording nine points and two steals.
Jefferson was highly touted out of college because of his scoring, rebounding and overall versatility. The team was ecstatic to add him to the roster and is eager to see him take the court.
Throughout September, Rookie Wire is compiling some of the most interesting facts about each first-round pick in an effort to further introduce the incoming draft class ahead of the 2026-27 season
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High School
Jefferson led Liberty High School (Nevada) to its first-ever Class 5A state championship as a senior, averaging 17.7 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals. During the title game over Bishop Gorman, Jefferson scored the last six points of regulation to tie the game and later win in overtime.
Saint Mary's
Jefferson played his first two years of college at Saint Mary's before transferring to Iowa State. Though he played only 26 games as a sophomore during the 2023-24 season because of a leg injury, Jefferson earned Honorable Mention All-WCC honors.
Finalist
Jefferson was a Naismith Trophy top-10 semifinalist and a Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year top-five finalist last season. He eventually became the 42nd draft pick in school history and the 11th first-round pick.
Mr. Triple Double
Jefferson became the first player in Big 12 history to record multiple triple-doubles in conference play, doing so on Jan. 2 (West Virginia) and Jan. 20 (UCF). He is the only player in program history with two or more triple-doubles and was one of three players nationally to reach that mark last season.
Football
Jefferson is the son of Ben Jefferson, who was an offensive lineman in the NFL and CFL. Ben played with the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Raiders and Indianapolis Colts, and then in the CFL, World League and NFL Europe. His brother, Noah, played football at USC and Florida Atlantic, while his brother, Cameron, played football at UNLV and Arkansas.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: 5 fun facts: Get to know Nets' Joshua Jefferson before rookie season
