NBA Draft Scouting Report: Iowa State's Joshua Jefferson

Scouting Report: Joshua Jefferson

Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson (2) goes for a layup the ball against Kansas State during the first half in the Big-12 men’s basketball showdown at Hilton Coliseum on Feb 1, 2025 in Ames, Iowa. / Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

1. Player Info
2. Prospect Profile
3. Highlights
4. Draft Projection
5. 2025 Big Board

Player Info

Joshua Jefferson

Forward | Iowa State

Height: 6'9” | Weight: 240 lbs

2025 Draft Age: 21.59

Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson (2) drives to the basket around Cincinnati Bearcats' forward Dillon Mitchell (23) during the first half in the Big-12 men’s basketball at Hilton Coliseum on Feb. 15, 2025 in Ames, Iowa. / Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Prospect Profile

A 6-foot-9 forward with the tools to impact winning at the NBA level, Jefferson started his collegiate career at Saint Mary’s for two years, then at Iowa State for his third. As he made the jump in level of competition in the Big 12, his game had continued to scale and his development has been impressive. 

Jefferson has a very strong, physical frame and is fundamentally sound as a player. His game isn’t flashy, but he does the little things that don’t show up at the surface but impact winning. He has good natural feel and is an excellent positional passer. He processes the game well and is a quality complementary offensive engine who enhances his team’s efficiency and ball movement. 

Jefferson doesn’t have a great handle, but it’s good enough to where he can put the ball on the deck. He’s a good rim finisher and has solid moves with his back to the basket. The Iowa State forward hasn’t proven to be a quality 3-point shooter to this point, but he still takes a decent amount of perimeter shots. Whether or not NBA teams buy his potential as a floor spacer will drastically impact his draft stock. 

On the defensive end, Jefferson can defend multiple positions is is smart on that side of the ball overall. He has underrated agility and moves fairly well for his size, but overall doesn’t do anything defensively that makes him jump out as elite. He projects to be a solid team defender who can guard at least two positions at the next level. 

A former three-star recruit, Jefferson comes from a family of athletes. His father played football at Maryland and then in the NFL for several teams. He also has two brothers who both played college football at premier Division I schools. 

Highlights

Draft Projection

Potential Second-Round Pick in 2025 NBA Draft.

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2025 Big Board

Want to know more about other potential 2025 NBA Draft prospects and where they might get selected? Check out our Draft Digest Big Board.

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