One of the main players to watch for the Brooklyn Nets was second-year forward Jalen Wilson. Wilson, the 51st overall pick of the 2023 NBA draft, contributed beyond expectations for a late second-round pick in his rookie season. While it was an uneven performance overall, the Kansas product played in 43 games averaging 5.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game on 42.5% shooting and 32.4% from three.
With the young forward showing some 3-and-D chops last season, his development was one of the stories to watch in the Summer League. He did not disappoint. Over five Summer League games, Wilson finished with 21.8 points per game while shooting an unbelievable 55.0% from three. He was also a factor on the boards and defensively, posting 4.6 rebounds per game to boot.
Wilson takes home Summer League MVP honors
The impressive showing was more than most expected, and Wilson was named the Summer League MVP. The impressive showing has dramatically raised his profile amongst the fan base with many now calling for him to crack the starting rotation.
While Wilson showing out is a very good sign for his development, it’s important to remember that the quality of competition in the Summer League is a large step down from that of the NBA or even the G-League. Still, the 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward fits the archetype of a big 3-and-D wing capable of playing either forward spot, which has become a very valuable commodity for the modern NBA.
Moreover, Wilson showed increased aggressiveness and an ability to create shots for himself offensively, rather than simply being a stationary catch-and-shoot offensive player. Occasionally, his drives to the basket were out of control, but it was nice to see a bit of an expansion of his offensive repertoire while giving some credence to the idea that he can effectively attack closeouts.
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What is Wilson’s role moving forward?
The Nets’ forward rotation is very crowded at the moment with veterans Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith still on the team. That said, even if those two begin the regular season with Brooklyn expect to see a heavy dose of Jalen Wilson.
He may not crack the starting lineup immediately, however, he will get plenty of run with both the starters and the reserves as the Nets continue to see what exactly they have in the former National Champion. As the season progresses, expect to see his role expand further as the Nets look to get him experience in a variety of situations. It would not surprise to see him on the floor to close out games in what should be the rare instances the Nets have fourth-quarter leads.
Most importantly, the Nets will look to develop him as a key core piece of the next contending team. His ceiling may be that of a role player, but there’s potential that he can be one of the more high-end 3-and-D wings with enough seasoning. He’ll definitely be a player to watch in what will be a season focused on player development.
