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2026 NBA Draft: Joshua Jefferson Scouting Report


Joshua Jefferson of the Iowa State Cyclones drives to the basket during a college basketball game.

Throughout the 2025-26 season, Babcock Hoops will provide comprehensive scouting reports on top 2026 NBA Draft prospects, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and potential at the next level. Our reports offer an in-depth look at each player's development and draft outlook.


Joshua Jefferson

Position: Forward

College: Iowa State

Class: Senior

Height/Weight: 6'9", 240 lbs

Birthdate: November 21, 2003

Previous College: Saint Mary's

High School: Liberty High School (NV)


Player Overview


Joshua Jefferson is a strong, versatile forward who blends interior toughness with playmaking feel and IQ. At 6’9”, 240 pounds, he plays with a powerful base and uses his strength and balance to carve out space inside. He’s comfortable initiating offense as a hand-off hub or connective passer from the elbows, showing good vision and patience for his size. Jefferson has solid footwork and touch near the rim and is an active rebounder who uses positioning and timing effectively. While he’s not an explosive athlete, he makes up for it with effort and basketball IQ. His jumper remains streaky, and he’s limited as a rim protector and perimeter defender, but his combination of strength, skill, and feel gives him the potential to carve out a niche as a physical, playmaking forward.


"Ben Henshall is a solid player, and his potential to be effective as a shooter and scorer without being ball-dominant is what intrigues me most." — Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst

Strengths


  • Playmaking for Size: Handles the ball well for a forward; capable of initiating hand-offs and making reads from the high post.

  • Physical Interior Presence: Uses his strength and balance to establish position, finish through contact, and rebound effectively.

  • Footwork & Touch: Shows poise and coordination around the basket; can score off post-ups or short face-ups.

  • Rebounding & Positioning: High-effort rebounder who boxes out consistently and tracks the ball well.

  • Defensive Activity: Active hands and solid anticipation help him disrupt passing lanes and contest shots.

  • Basketball IQ: Smart, team-oriented player who understands spacing, angles, and flow of the offense.


Concerns


  • Athleticism: Not an explosive leaper or quick laterally; limits his ability to defend multiple positions.

  • Shooting Consistency: Jumper is still developing; can be streaky from deep and hesitant as a floor spacer.

  • Defensive Versatility: Relies more on positioning than mobility; struggles to contain quicker wings or switch effectively.

  • Rim Protection: Lacks vertical pop and timing to serve as a true deterrent at the rim.

  • Decision-Making: Can overthink or force passes in traffic at times, leading to turnovers.


Questions


  • How will he fit defensively at the NBA level, given his lack of quickness and rim protection?

  • Can his outside shooting improve enough to play more on the perimeter?

  • Does he bring enough to the table to find an off-ball role as a connective, physical forward?


Bottom Line


Jefferson is a tough, skilled forward with strength, feel, and unselfishness that translate well to team basketball. His ability to facilitate, rebound, and provide interior toughness could make him a serviceable glue guy. To raise his pro outlook, he’ll need to show improved shooting range and more consistency defending in space. His long-term success will hinge on maximizing his physicality and playmaking instincts while proving he can stretch the floor enough to fit modern systems.

Preciser
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