What Duke’s Maliq Brown Brings to the NBA

The Duke basketball program saw three of its former players selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, and head coach Jon Scheyer has now developed eight NBA draftees in the last two seasons alone.

2026 ACC and National Player of the Year Cameron Boozer was taken with the No. 3 overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies, which was widely expected. Three-point marksman Isaiah Evans had a bit of a longer wait than he was anticipating, as he dropped out of the first round entirely, eventually being taken 33rd overall in the second round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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Then, there’s Maliq Brown, who was the final Blue Devil taken in the 2026 draft. The senior was selected with the 44th overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs. Brown isn’t the flashiest player in the world and will rarely fill up the stat sheet, but he could be one of the most productive second-rounders in this year’s class.

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Maliq Brown (6) shoots the ball against the St. John’s Red Storm in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Maliq Brown Was the Best Defender in This Draft Class

Brown was arguably the best all-around defender in all of college basketball last season. The 6’9″ forward averaged 4.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.8 steals a night as a senior in Durham, but played 20 minutes a night due to his elite defensive versatility.

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The former Syracuse transfer can legitimately guard the one through five on the court, with the most active hands of anyone in the country. If deflections were a recorded stat, Brown would assuredly lead the nation.

Mar 21, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Maliq Brown (6) controls the ball against Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Jayden Pierre (1) during the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon…

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Publish date : 2026-06-26 10:00:00

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