Joshua Jefferson is officially a Brooklyn Net.
The Nets acquired the former Iowa State basketball standout and consensus All-American after he was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 28th overall pick and was immediately traded to Brooklyn during the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23.
Here is a scouting report on what the Nets are getting:
Joshua Jefferson vitals
Playmaking
He’s officially listed as a forward, but this 6-foot-9, 246-pound big man has the skills and court vision of a seasoned point guard.
While he might be more of a secondary playmaker in the NBA, at Iowa State he demonstrated an ability to put the ball on the floor, initiate offense in the half-court or in transition, and dish out assists. Jefferson is skilled at anticipating his opponent, reading and dissecting defenses from the post, the top of the arc or whenever he gets the ball.
He’s a savvy playmaker for a big man, often catching defenses off-guard with a well-placed bounce pass, a kick-out to a teammate at the perimeter, or a smooth no-look assist.
He doesn’t try to force the action and is a solid decision-maker. He earned plenty of trust from coaches and teammates to make the right plays. While he was capable of consistent double-digit scoring nights, Jefferson was also unselfish and a key cog on offense.
He was given more responsibility as a senior for the Cyclones and, in addition to his career-high scoring average, he also averaged 4.8 assists to 2.5 turnovers per game, an impressive ratio for a forward. Jefferson also recorded a 27.8% assist rate this past season, which was good for the eighth-highest mark in the Big 12. However, it was the leading assist rate for power-conference frontcourt players, topping all big men from the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, SEC, Big 12 and American.
Versatility
Jefferson is built like a linebacker. It’s a trait he possibly inherited from his father Ben, who was a defensive lineman at Maryland and played professionally for a few years, and one he shares with his Division I football-playing siblings Noah and Cameron, but his heart is on the hardwood.
That big frame, combined with his guard skills, made him a do-it-all player for the Cyclones in his two years in Ames. Jefferson is an all-around player and contributor on both ends of the floor, but he made improvements in various aspects of his game entering his senior year, which helped him enjoy an All-American year and boost his NBA Draft stock.
Offensively, aside from his playmaking, he has excellent touch and savviness in the post. He is a solid finisher around the basket and is crafty in the paint. A highly productive and consistent scorer and rebounder at the collegiate level, Jefferson also has the tools and reliability to fill the entire stat sheet. He showcased an improved jumpshot that allowed him to diversify his game even further and open things up for his teammates offensively. Combined with his playmaking skills, he will provide plenty of lineup flexibility.
Defensively, he’s able to switch and guard multiple positions. He also has a high motor that makes him an active player defensively on and off the ball, but he’s also a hard worker on the glass. He might not be a staunch rim protector, but he easily makes up for it with his defensive activity and toughness.
His intangible traits also feed into his overall value. He often puts himself in good position, has great feel for the game, and he is a physical, tough player. Jefferson doesn’t get flustered much, nor does he get overexcited. He is a composed, reliable and smart player, with tremendous physical and mental toughness.
Wild cards
Jefferson took a large step forward with his jumpshot this past season, extending his range and becoming a more of a threat from the 3-point line. Opposing teams could no longer leave him unguarded at the perimeter or sag off.
The improvement he showed in a higher 3-point shooting volume is promising, but there is still plenty of room for growth. He will need to continue evolving with his jumpshot, establish greater consistency as a shooter, and be prepared to adjust to more skilled opposition and an even deeper 3-point line.
Aside from that, his agility and athletic testing at the NBA Combine further illuminated some athletic deficiencies. In college, he used his strength and savvy to outwork and outsmart his opponents. How much will translate to a more athletic NBA landscape?
At this year’s NBA Combine in May, Jefferson’s 27-inch standing vertical leap finished tied for 70th out of 78 participants. His 33-inch max vertical leap was tied for 64th, while his three-quarter court sprint ranked 71st and his pro lane agility drill finishing time was 78th.
Although these aren’t great measurables compared to his peers, there’s no denying Jefferson’s dependability and success at the college level. He comes to the NBA with a high floor and a winning attitude, but how high will his ceiling be?
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
This story has been edited from its original publication to clarify that Jefferson was drafted by Minnesota and then traded to Brooklyn.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What the Brooklyn Nets are getting in Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson
Reporting by Eugene Rapay, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Eugene Rapay, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
