NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets drew plenty of attention from the NBA world when they selected Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. with the No. 6 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Despite the fact that Brooklyn made a solid choice in Brown, they also made an interesting selection of Jefferson with the No. 28 pick and he had the chance to explain what the moment meant for him.
“Going into pre-draft, I was like, make the most out of your workouts and attack your rehab hard and everything will go how it needs to go. I’m very blessed for this position that I’m in and just very thankful,” Jefferson said to the media Tuesday after being taken by the Nets. Jefferson suffered a left ankle sprain during the NCAA Tournament, but it looks like the injury didn’t stop him from being a first-round pick.
“It was really good feedback, from the late first round, from all the front office, just seeing what they need for their team,” Jefferson said when asked about the feedback he’s received from the Nets during the pre-draft process. “They felt that I fit in a lot of spots because of my versatility. I think I’m where I need to be. The Nets took a great chance on me, and I’m very thankful for that.”
Jefferson profiles as the kind of forward that should be able to function as some kind of hub within an offense, similar to what the Nets have done with Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe since Jordi Fernandez has been the head coach. Jefferson, listed at 6-foot-9 and 240 pounds, also brings a physical presence to the frontcourt with the potential to provide some perimeter shooting if he develops those skills.
With the Nets acquiring Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jefferson will likely be operating off the bench with the starting frontcourt expected to be Michael Porter Jr., Randle, and Sharpe. However, Jefferson comes into Brooklyn’s organization with plenty of experience to pair with a skillset that should get him some playing time down the stretch of next season.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets’ Joshua Jefferson reacts to being taken at 28th in 2026 NBA Draft
Reporting by Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire / Nets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire | USA TODAY Network
