LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: (EDITORS NOTE: this photo has been converted to black and white) Joshua Jefferson #9 of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 15, 2026 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Net Income Tue, October 20, 2026 at 4:34 AM UTC · 3 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joshua Jefferson, the 6'9" 23-year-old point forward taken at No. 28 in the Draft, has been the forgotten man this summer. Because of NBA regs, he couldn't join the Nets Summer League team until the first game in Las Vegas. No practice, just a review of the playbook and the results were as expected: some smart plays but with the caveat that things will take time. He also was recovering from an ankle injury sustained in his final days at Iowa State. In three games, he averaged 7.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
Then, he couldn't practice in training camp, couldn't play in any of the four preseason games because of back stiffness. Just three days ago, he was seen running wind sprints, seemingly not near activation…
So it was a surprise when the head coach announced Monday that Jefferson had participated in practice and would be ready for Wednesday's game vs. the Charlotte Hornets.
"[Joshua] will be available, yeah. He just practiced, contact practice, and did a great job. I'm happy to see him back. He's had a buildup and today he played with the rest of the group," Fernandez said. Whether he makes his debut in the opener remains Fernandez decision.
Jefferson has the Nets excited despite the long road and injuries. He fits the Nets requirements of positional size, versatility and quick thinking. He can play next to Egor Demin or step in for him.
Indeed, according to insiders, the Nets demanded the exchange of picks — the 28th Timberwolves pick for the Nets 33rd — that got him to Brooklyn as part of the multi-team Julius Randle deal. Those same insiders said Jefferson was always an organization target. Scouts believed that if he had been younger, he would have done higher. Jefferson, in fact is the Nets oldest first round pick since Mason Plumlee in 2013. He's also the ninth oldest player on this year's roster.
At Media Day, Jefferson talked about his NBA role and how it will likely change from what he played at Iowa State.
"I think [creating with the ball in my hands] is a big part of who I am as a player," Jefferson said as Erik Slater reported. "Creating for others, making the job easier and getting open shots for my teammates. It's going to change a little bit with the amount of weapons that we have.
"So just getting it off the glass and then pushing in transition and playing out of closeouts and stuff like that is how I'm going to continue to integrate my game. Just making quick decisions with the ball, given I probably won't have the ball as much as I did in college. So just understand that I've got to be effective in the opportunities that I get."
As of Monday, only one Nets player — second round pick Tyler Bilodeau — won't be available. The two-way is out with a shoulder sprain.
Nets first-round pick cleared for season-opener after missing preseason – Erik Slater – Clutch Points
Nets' Joshua Jefferson available for season opener vs. the Hornets – Shareef Phillips-Keaton – USA TODAY
Source: Sports
