Former Mizzou basketball player Kobe Brown is excelling in his newfound role with the Indiana Pacers, putting up career-highs across the board.
Mizzou basketball alum Kobe Brown is the Tigers' only first-round draft pick in the Dennis Gates era.
He was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, where he spent his first two-and-a-half seasons. Brown played a minimal role with the Clippers, who were trying to contend for an NBA championship in the time span, leaving development for younger players as an afterthought.
The lack of opportunity for Brown caused his averages to be less-than-impressive, putting up just 2.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 8.1 minutes per game across 118 regular-season appearances for the Clippers.
His unmemorable time with the Clippers ended abruptly, as he was packaged in a trade centered around star center Ivica Zubac that send the pair to Indiana in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin.
While Zubac was the centerpiece of the trade, Brown has made the quickest impact.
Through his first five games in Indiana, the former Tiger has averaged 10.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1 assist and 0.8 steals in 26.4 minutes per game, logging his first career start in the process. Brown has poured in double-digit points in each of his last three games, including a career-high 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting in just 19 minutes against the Mavericks on Sunday night.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle had high praise for Brown before his career night.
“There is a lot to like,” Carlisle said. “Versatility, strength, he’s a really good crasher. We’ve worked with him a little bit on his three, just a couple of small adjustments, he’s doing real well with that. He’s got good feel, knows the game and this is a good opportunity for him.”
Carlisle mentioned Brown's rebounding ability, which has certainly showed during his stint in Indiana. He's pulled in six or more rebounds in four of his five contests, including a season-best nine against Washington.
Brown's jumpshot is also coming around — he's shot 57.1% from 3-point range since arriving in Indiana, which would smash his previous career-best of 29.2% in the 2023-24 season.
Standing at 6-foot-7, 250 pounds, Brown has always had the ideal build of an NBA-caliber forward, but a developed offense game and jumpshot could help him blossom into the rotation player the Clippers — and other organizations — once envisioned him as.
Brown and the Pacers will next play the Philadelphia 76ers at 6 p.m. Tuesday.