Nets Select Alabama Forward Noah Clowney With 21st Pick in NBA Draft

Clowney is the second Crimson Tide player to be drafted in the first round of the 2023 draft.

Make it two. 

Alabama basketball forward Noah Clowney has been selected by the Brooklyn Nets with the 21st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, making him the second Alabama player to be taken in the first round tonight. 

Clowney joins former teammate Brandon Miller, who was selected second overall by the Hornets, to give Alabama a total of six players drafted since head coach Nate Oats took over the program before the 2019-20 season. Four of those selections have been first round picks. 

As a freshman for SEC regular season and tournament champion Alabama last season, Clowney made an immediate impact, garnering tons of hype and attention in the preseason before winning a starting job in the season opener. 

The South Carolina native was not ranked in the top-50 of any recruiting services coming out of high school, and thus was not on any preseason draft boards, either. 

That changed quickly as Clowney's high motor, defensive IQ and versatility, rebounding prowess and interior scoring drew the attention of onlookers everywhere.

Last season, Clowney earned SEC All-Freshman team honors while averaging 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds shooting 48.6 percent from the floor. 

The 6-foot-10 forward is the sixth-youngest player in the draft and only 18 years old. He has all the tools to succeed at the next level, and will only get better as he continues to grow and mature in the league. 

See also:

Alabama Basketball Roster Tracker: 2023 Offseason

Alabama Basketball Newcomer Breakdown: Aaron Estrada

Alabama Basketball Newcomer Breakdown: Latrell Wrightsell Jr.