Introducing the NBA’s All-Underrated-Under 25 team
Troy Brown Jr
When the Washington Wizards selected Troy Brown Jr in the 2018 draft, it was about his defense more than his offense. And this season, he’s been one of their best (if not the best) defenders on a team in desperate need of an adjustment on that end.
But this season particularly, Brown has also made some way into his offensive shell. He’s doubled his points per game average from year one (4.8 to 9.7) and improved all shooting percentages.
He hasn’t become a household name yet, however, due to his ever-changing role on a team that’s been mistaken on direction nearly the entire season. Brown entered the year injured, but once healthy, was deemed the starting small forward for this Wizards team.
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After 11 straight games in the starting five, head coach Scott Brooks bumped him down to the bench. Brown overwhelmed in that stretch: 6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2 assists per game.
On the bench, his improvement wasn’t unnoticed. Brown posted 12.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in the following 12 games. But of course, due to the injuries Washington suffered this season, he returned to the starting lineup shortly after.
And down the line, he was back on the bench.
Brown, if nothing else, is an astute multi-positional defender and underrated rebounder. If the Wizards can find his role on this team, he’ll be a rotational piece on what they hope is the team that will ultimately bring another championship to DC.