Noah Clowney will be one of the most intriguing players to enter the 2024-25 season with the Brooklyn Nets. He spent most of his rookie season in the G League; however, Clowney showed flashes of great two-way promise down the stretch of 2023-24 in a few appearances with Brooklyn. Fans have been eager to know how the Nets plan to utilize Clowney going into the upcoming season. Jordi Fernandez shed light on Clowney's potential positioning but did not tell all.
Clowney played a fair amount at the center position with the Long Island Nets, but with Brooklyn, he switched between power forward and center. ClutchPoints' Nets Reporter Erik Slater sought clarity on how Jordi Fernandez views Clowney, and the head coach gave this response:
"One thing I've learned as a head coach is you don't have all the answers, and I don't think I need to have them right now," Fernandez began during Brooklyn's Sep. 26 press conference, per Slater. "We're going to put [Noah] in situations where he's comfortable and not comfortable... to answer your question, I don't know at this second. I think he can be very good at playing the 4 and the 5. He can shoot, his size makes him multi-positional. He's got a lot of good qualities and abilities to be successful."
It looks like the Nets are not going to box Noah Clowney into a position. Still, Fernandez's response was a bit confusing. Sean Marks provided more insight into how the Nets are handling Clowney.
The Nets do not want to limit Clowney's development
Sean Marks believes that assigning Noah Clowney a definitive frontcourt position may not be best for his development.
“You just don’t wanna limit development… I think we should never limit a player… Guys end up evolving and the game evolves too… The fact that he’s a versatile player, that’s something that’s intriguing to all of us" Marks added.
Regardless of what position Clowney plays for the Nets, he looks to continue improving.
In 15 appearances with the Long Island Nets in 2023-24, Clowney averaged 12.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and shot 28.6 percent on his three-pointers. He appeared in 23 regular season games with Brooklyn and had exciting performances during the season's last few contests.
Clowney totaled 10 points, seven rebounds, and an incredible seven blocks during the Nets' 106-102 Toronto Raptors win on April 11. He missed the Nets' franchise record for most blocks in a game by a rookie by one swat.
Nets fans are excited to see Clowney grow alongside stout frontcourt partner Nic Claxton and the rest of the team's promising talent.