Portland Trail Blazers: Scouting rookies Greg Brown, Trendon Watford

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Greg Brown, University of Texas, Oklahoma State University (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Greg Brown could one day be a versatile 3-and-D forward

The Portland Trail Blazers may have come away with the best athlete in the 2021 NBA Draft with the 43rd pick.

Brown displayed in college elite physical tools, emerging defensive instincts, a high motor, and a promising outside jump shot.

In his one-and-done season for the Texas Longhorns, Brown averaged 9.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and a block per game, while shooting 33 percent from deep on over three attempts a night.

He’s still very raw, especially with the ball in his hands and will need to sharpen his IQ on both ends of the court to be a reliable option. His quickness at 6’8, 205-lbs though, will allow him to be a multifaceted defender that can guard three different positions. Along with developing the technical aspects of his game, Brown should hone his focus in bulking up his body to bang down-low against the more physical forwards in the league.

There’s no doubt that Brown has full confidence in finishing over and through his opponents. With the increased size that will meet him at the rim in the NBA though, he’ll have to add a little finesse to his inside moves as well. He shot 50 percent from two at Texas and has almost zero skills in the in-between game. Adding a floater, hook shot, or midrange jumper will go a long way in raising his ceiling.

Ceiling: Jeff Green

A tweener in the best ways, Green has become a versatile defender who can be trusted to hit open threes and come up with the occasional internet-breaking poster. Adding a role player of his caliber on a second-round rookie scale deal will be a huge win for Neil Olshey.

Floor: Perry Jones III

Jones, like Brown, was a highly recruited prospect out of high school who underperformed a little in college and an upper-echelon athlete who showed the promise for multiple skills on offense and defense. Jones never developed any of his skills to an NBA-level and despite four years under contract with two different teams, was unable to find a niche in the league.