NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney has played two seasons in the NBA in which there has reasons for optimism to go with some areas of his game that have to be refined. Brooklyn is hoping that Clowney can take a significant step forward during the 2025-26 season and he told the media how he sees himself improving as a player.
“I think in transition, it will be downhill. It’s easy because everyone is not loaded in the gap yet and it’s the easiest way you can get there and just being able to play off two [feet],” Clowney said following training camp practice on Friday. During the 2024-25 campaign, Clowney showed that he could be a consistent threat from behind the three-point line, but it was what he did, or didn’t do, inside the three-point arc that had to be reworked.
“I don’t know what’s behind me. If somebody’s trailing, a lot of things are usually open playing off two [feet],” Clowney continued. “I did a lot of bump-euros off of one [foot]. You got a foot in front of you, you got to make a decision or you’re probably gonna turn it over.”
Clowney, 21, is heading into his third season in the NBA after showing more of his game last season with the way that he stretched the floor and had some standout moments on the defensive end. Clowney is set to be the starting power forward alongside players like guard Cam Thomas, forward Michael Porter Jr., and center Nic Claxton with head coach Jordi Fernandez leading the way.
Clowney, who averaged 9.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 35.8% from the field and 33.3% from three-point territory, saw some of those strides while sharing the floor with forward Cam Johnson. Johnson is no longer on the roster after being traded to the Denver Nuggets in the offseason, but Porter will be taking his place within Brooklyn’s rotation. Clowney gave a glimpse into what playing with Porter has been like thus far in camp.
“It’s an adjustment learning how he plays, what things he wants to get to, but he’s also a different type of threat,” Clowney explained. “He’s somebody that you have to run off the line. If not, he’s going to light it up every time. It’s just learning how to play with him, learning how to communicate defensively, just stuff like that.” Clowney had a huge year ahead of him, but it seems that he’s aware of how he can take advantage of the opportunity.