Video Breakdown: Markel Brown

* I have not seen Brown compete live this season. The following breakdown is based on watching film and doing research.

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• Exceptional Athlete. Brown is an explosive 6-3 shooting guard with a 6-9 wingspan and 43-inch vertical. His impact is largely predicated upon his athleticism, as he flies up and down the floor and finalizes dunks above the rim. Brown’s 43-inch vertical at the Chicago Combine cemented his status as one of the best athletes in the Draft. While he can be over-dependent on his athleticism in the half court (he has an unpolished handle, leading to off-balanced shots and aerial jaunts from way too far out), Brown is nonetheless a high flyer in the open floor. He offers elite athleticism, 3-point shooting, and basketball IQ.

20% of Brown’s shot attempts this season came in transition, where he converted a solid 51%. At only 6-3, he’s probably undersized for a traditional NBA shooting guard, but Brown compensates with explosiveness and a 6-9 wingspan. He jumps high, whether leaping for a dunk or elevating for a jump shot. He’s an athletic 2-guard who can space the floor and hit 3-pointers. He understands his game and plays to his strengths.

Transition

Rebounding

Brown averaged 5.3 rebounds per game (1.05 offensive, 4.2 defensive). He crashes the glass defensively, or flies in for put-backs offensively.

Blocks

Brown uses his length and athleticism to blocks shots anywhere in the half court. Whether he’s defending (and then blocking) a driving opponent, or coming from the weak side to block a post player, Brown is alert and able blocking shots as a shooting guard.

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• Good elevation and accuracy on his jump shot. 66% of Brown’s shot attempts in the half court were of the jump shot variety, where he converted 38% from 3-point range. He can knock down shots with his feet set, or off the dribble.

Brown uses his athleticism for a high release point, which allows him to play bigger than his 6-3 frame. He can pull-up from 3-point or mid-range (49% FG), shoot off the pick-and-roll (52% FG), or free himself with off the ball movement.

He’s not an automatic shooter, per se, but he’s capable from NBA range, and can pull-up off the dribble. 

Catch-and-Shoot 3-pointers (37%)

Pick-and-Roll Jumper (52% FG)

He comes around screens and uses his athleticism to elevate from deep range.

Off Screens – Slashing and Shooting

He creates misdirection in the half court with off the ball movement.

Made FTs (77% on 5.7 attempts)

Missed FTs

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• That being said, Brown has shown inconsistency on his jumper. He’s a below average ball-handler (explained below), which affects his jump shot because he struggles to create separation on the perimeter.

For example, Brown often picks up his dribble far away from the basket, resulting in either off-balanced shots or aerial jaunts from unreasonable distances. His tendency to pick up his dribble is evident on his “short-range” jumpers; when he attacks the lane and prematurely tries to take off but ends up taking a running floater. Brown converted 24% on short-range jumpers. He has a natural fade on his jump shot, which is worth noting.

I think Brown is a pretty good shooter, but it must be noted that he’s certainly not “automatic.”

ISO / Off Screen Misses

Short-Range Struggles (24% FG)

Inconsistent Shooting (Spot Up)

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• Brown is not very skilled creating off the bounce. He doesn’t have an advanced handle to create separation on the perimeter, and although he compensates with a high release point on his jumper, Brown struggles to take it all the way. If his first step doesn’t get past his matchup, he will pick up his dribble and essentially jack up an ill-advised shot.

Will this work in the NBA? If defenders play up on him and take away the jumper, he could struggle to create offense in isolation situations. Now, don’t get me wrong: he can explode when a lane is present (turning the corner on the pick-and-roll, cutting (19-21, 91% FG), and has a quick first step to blow past an off-balanced defender). But I wouldn’t expect for Brown to be an isolation threat in the NBA. He’s more of a space-the-floor, catch-and-shoot threat.

In isolation situations, Brown picks up his dribble, takes off-balanced shots, and loses control of the ball. He needs a more polished handle to maximize his athletic gifts. Can’t just out-speed opponents at the next level.

“The Good”

Cutting (91% FG)

Great athleticism for alley-oops, back-cuts and the like.

Pick-and-Roll Driving – Turns the Corner, Soars to the Hoop

ISO / Spot Up Offense

“The Bad” 

Pick-and Roll – No Move / Out of Control

Spot Up Misses – Not Creative when Driving

Turnovers (1.6 per game; no advanced ball-handling)

Transition Struggles (uncommon)

Brown is sometimes over-dependent on his athleticism in the open floor as well. He struggles to navigate around the court with the ball in his hands.

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• Serviceable Defender. Brown plays good defense overall, quick enough to contain penetration and long enough to contest perimeter jump shots. But he still has room for improvement. Not bad, but not great right now.

Perimeter Defense

Defensive Hiccups

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• So, overall, what you’re probably getting is an explosive 2-guard who flies up and down the floor, spaces the defense with perimeter shooting, and defends. Limited shot-creator for himself, but a high-flyer who hits 3-pointers on the wing. Brown’s ideal system is an uptempo, free flowing offense where he can space the floor for jumpers, and use his athleticism in transition.

He’s experienced and mature, and has a clearly defined skill-set should he make the NBA.