A versatile offensive engine with Jokić-like vision, this Iowa State standout offers the Nets elite passing and triple-double potential as a high-IQ fringe first-round target.
With the Brooklyn Nets falling to the No. 6 overall pick following Sunday's NBA Draft Lottery, we at NetsRoundtable will continue to explore some of the prospects in this year's deep and talented class.
Some of the top players in the class like Keaton Wagler of Illinois, Darryn Peterson of Kansas, Darius Acuff of Arkansas and Cameron Boozer of Duke will likely be taken within the top 10.
But, we have also shined light on projected late first rounders and sneaky good late value picks like Dillon Mitchell of St. John's and Michigan's Morez Johnson.
In this profile, I will shine light on another fringe first round pick, Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson.
Do-It-All Big
Jefferson is an extremely versatile offensive player, using his size and passing ability to fill up the stat sheet, along with scoring 16.4 points per game.
Last season for the Cyclones, Jefferson notched two triple-doubles, while leading his team in rebounding (7.4) and finishing just shy of the team-lead for assists (4.8).
In Jefferson's top performance of the season, he recorded a 17-point, 12-assist, and 10-rebound showing, adding four steals and keeping the ball out of harms way with zero giveaways.
This stellar performance helped Iowa State dominate UCF 87-57, catalyzing a 5-game win streak.
Offensive Initiator
Jefferson was the table setter for Iowa State's high-octane offensive attack, touching the ball nearly every possession and creating open looks for his teammates.
Similar to 3-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić, Jefferson does a lot of his damage and orchestrating from the top of the key and mid-post, making reads and attacking double teams.
Jefferson shined in the Big 12 Tournament, helping lead the Cyclones to the championship game, but fell just short to Arizona, losing 82-80.
Unfortunately, after making the Big Dance as a No. 2 seed, Jefferson played just three minutes in Iowa State's first round domination before suffering a season-ending ankle injury.
Areas For Improvement
While Jefferson's high IQ and mobility earns him some defensive upside and steal ability, his lack of size makes his interior defense with something to be desired.
Jefferson will need to become a more consistent presence in the paint and develop lateral quickness to keep up with the athletic 4s and 5s at the next level.
Draft Projection
In ESPN's first mock post-lottery, Jefferson snuck into the first round as the final selection, joining reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks.
Are Nets a Fit?
Getting younger in the front court should be a priority for Brooklyn, as starting big man Nic Claxton has seemingly peaked.
Should Michael Porter Jr. stick around long-term, Jefferson could fill a Jokić type facilitating role that Porter excelled with in Denver.
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