More mature Kendall Brown developing in year two with Indiana Pacers organization
Kendall Brown is finally healthy. That's the most important part of his current status with the Indiana Pacers. The 20-year old is in his second season with the franchise that was excited to be able to draft him in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft, but injuries derailed the forward's first campaign. So the Pacers brought him back and are hoping to develop him further in year two.
The Minnesota native is on a two-way contract again for the Pacers, so he has largely played in the G League this season with the Indiana Mad Ants. He played in an NBA game during the In-Season Tournament Finals, but other than that, all of his appearances in 2023-24 have come with the Mad Ants.
"It was a good experience," Brown said of the In-Season Tournament Final game. "The lights [were] cool."
That's ideal for Brown and the Pacers. The young forward has unique, interesting tools that are worth developing — he is six-foot-eight-inches tall and as athletic as anyone. But his more-specific skills need attention and reps. The Mad Ants give him a chance to play and work on those skills.
"Kendall is just struggling a little bit shooting the ball right now. Defensively, he's grown. Getting better and better," Mad Ants head coach Tom Hankins said of Brown early in the season. The coach highlighted that the second-year wing got better last year during his appearances and is still super young.
"He just needs these games. He needs to play," Hankins added.
Brown showed flashes of being a good defender during his first season in the pros, and his cutting and general timing on both ends were rock solid. As a taller forward with pop, he can make productive plays when he is in the right position. He was an attractive prospect for a reason.
Few players his size can keep up with him. Even fewer players that are as fast as him are tall. He's got tools that are interesting, and he's figuring out how to use them. Last season, things started clicking for Brown just before a significant injury, but said injury sidelined the young wing for months. He lost valuable development opportunities.
But he was able to watch and learn and spend time around NBA players while rehabbing. That helped him mature and learn as a sponge, something he highlighted at the end of the season. He's better off for the experience.
"It feels good. Especially coming into the league at a young age, you get to learn from others and get used to the game right away," Brown said of being more mature in his second season. "So I think that really helped me."
His comfort level stands out in a few stats. His turnover rate is way down. His two-point percentage in the G League is way up — he isn't rushed on drives and attacks. As a passer, his assist numbers have gone up. Brown's ability to read the game has risen with more experience.
"They need reps, they need experience," Hankins said of Brown and two-way contract guard Isaiah Wong. "Young guys that are having their ups and downs."
Experience has been good for Brown, and being healthy has made it possible for him to play often. It hasn't all been perfect, though. He's fouling more on defense, sometimes as a part of rotating late and other times as a result of being overly aggressive. His three-point percentage has dipped significantly, a key skill for any player hoping to shed the label of "raw and athletic."
Indiana Pacers wing Kendall Brown plays in a G League game for the Indiana Mad Ants in Gainbridge Fieldhouse in December of 2023. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Tony East)
In total, his impact and overall ability level is higher. But he still has clear growth areas for the blue and gold. "Just being a consistent shooter. They go under on a lot of screens, so just being able to knock it down," Brown said of the important steps in his development. He knows that he'll be able to counter hard closeouts and get to the rim more if he starts knocking down threes.
The former 48th overall pick made 16 of his 64 three-point attempts during the Showcase Cup portion of the season, good for just 25%. That number needs to climb, as do his rebounding numbers. They were higher last year.
But his abilities on defense and as a play finisher inside the arc have taken steps forward. That's important for Brown and his long-term future. If he can be a slasher and guard the ball, he will at least have some future as a pro basketball player.
"Just being more assertive on both ends. Getting to the hoop. Making plays for others," Brown said of his growth so far this season. "Just playing defense, getting myself going. Getting out on the fast break and run," he added. He's more used to his team's pace of play and is in more of a rhythm as a result.
These little bits of improvement make Brown someone to keep an eye on long-term. Athletic wings with skill are an in-demand player archetype that is hard to find. He's not quite NBA quality just yet — he needs to become a better shooter first. But he's closer than he was before the season started.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle wants Brown to get better on the defensive end, too. "Just being able to guard one through five," Brown said of Carlisle's message to him. Carlisle also has discussed the outside shot with Brown.
The young wing is getting better and showing why Indiana was interested in his long-term outlook in the second round two years ago. If he remains healthy and can stay on the floor, his development is worth keeping an eye on.
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