2026 NBA Draft Scouting Report for San Antonio Spurs' No. 44 Pick Maliq Brown
The San Antonio Spurs have officially selected Maliq Brown with the No. 44 pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
Stats don't tell the whole story with Brown, who made an obvious impact on winning for Duke.
While he doesn't have the flashiest game or skill set, he does little things at both ends that help create offensive efficiency and tougher defense.
The analytic departments have been higher on Brown after he led the nation in defensive box plus-minus.
Essential Facts, Stats, Combine Measurements
College: Duke | Position: PF/C | Age: 22 | Height: 6'8" | Weight: 217 lbs | Wingspan: 7'0.5" | PPG: 4.9 | RPG: 5.2 | APG: 1.6 | BPG: 0.6 | SPG: 1.8 | FG%: 62.9 | 3PT%: 16.7 | FT%: 50.0
Realistic Pro Comparison: Nicolas Claxton
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While clearly a best-case outcome, Nicolas Claxton is the blueprint for Maliq Brown.
Both are valued for their defensive instincts and change games without scoring. The hope for Brown is that he can be similarly switchable while adding plus rim protection.
Offensively, Brown will be used as more of a play-finisher who can add passing value.
Strengths
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Strength 1: Defensive instincts
A career 4.2 steal percentage is elite for a big. Brown can also be effective in switch-heavy coverages, capable of guarding multiple positions on the perimeter and in the post.
Strength 2: Finishing
Brown shot 76.5 percent at the rim, often putting himself in position for high-percentage catch-and-finish chances.
Strength 3: Passing
Though not a playmaker, Brown can make smart passes within an offense, which led to a solid 13.4 assist percentage.
Weaknesses
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Weakness 1: Offense
Brown offers little offensively outside of cutting. He's not a ball-handler or a shooting threat; he does make free throws at a strong rate and shows no post skill for a big.
Weakness 2: Turnovers
A career 20.1 turnover percentage for a non-scorer or ball-handler is abnormally high.
Weakness 3: Fouls
Brown only played 20.0 minutes a game, which may have contributed to him being more aggressive. But he fouled at a high rate with 5.4 per 40 minutes.
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