Six years after getting drafted by the Washington Wizards, wing Troy Brown Jr. is making a major career move.
In an official post on their X account, Turkish club Manisa Basket revealed they signed the former first-round pick.
Troy Brown Jr. Manisa Basket’te!
25 yaşında, 2.01m boyunda şutör guard ve kısa forvet pozisyonlarında görev yapan Brown Jr., takımımıza katıldı! pic.twitter.com/oGE1jjKP1E
— Manisa Basket (@manisabasket94) October 11, 2024
Last month, it was reported that Brown, who was a free agent, worked out with the Golden State Warriors. However, following the latest development, it seems the team did not have enough interest to give him a contract.
Former Washington Wizards First-Round Pick Joins Overseas Team
Troy Brown Jr.’s NBA Career
The Wizards drafted Brown out of Oregon with the No. 15 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Brown spent parts of three seasons with the team, enjoying his best campaign during the 2019-20 season. On the year, he started 22 of 69 games. Additionally, he averaged 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals. In 2021, the Wizards traded Brown to the Chicago Bulls as part of a three-team trade with the Boston Celtics. The Las Vegas native played in 79 games in Chicago over two seasons. In those games, he averaged 4.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1 assist.
In 2022, Brown signed with the Los Angeles Lakers and had the biggest role of his NBA career. He started 45 games for the team and played in 76. Additionally, he averaged 7.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1 assist. As the year progressed, however, he started playing a lesser role. In that season’s playoffs, Brown averaged just 10.3 minutes over 12 games, starting none of them.
Last season, Brown signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, after 37 games, the team traded him, alongside Shake Milton, to the Detroit Pistons for Monte Morris. Split between both teams, Brown averaged 4.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1 assist. After the end of the 2023-24 season, the Pistons waived Brown.
What Troy Brown Jr. Brings to Manisa Basket
Brown possesses the tools to be a solid 3-and-D player. He is a solid defender who is versatile. Additionally, while not a knockdown three-point shooter, Brown is above average. During his time in the NBA, he shot 35.1% from beyond the arc. While he was with the Lakers, he shot 38.1% from the three-point line on 3.7 attempts per game. Both of these numbers are career highs for Brown. Furthermore, his NBA experience should be a plus as he adapts to the overseas game for the first time in his playing career. His game is a bit limited and is a large reason he was seemingly unable to land another contract in the NBA. However, signing with an overseas team may be his best option to continue evolving his game.
At 25 years old, Brown is still a young player who likely has not hit his peak as a basketball player yet. Additionally, if it is an opportunity he will pursue, a return to the NBA could be in the cards. Though the last few seasons of his career were a bit underwhelming, Brown is still a player who can develop into an NBA contributor.
