Bruce Brown Jr. (born August 15, 1996) is an American professional

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

player for the

Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball team based in Denver. The Nuggets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division (NBA), Northwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA), W ...

of the

National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...

(NBA). He played

college basketball College basketball is basketball that is played by teams of Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. In the Higher education in the United States, United States, colleges and universities are governed by collegiate athle ...

for the

Miami Hurricanes The Miami Hurricanes, known informally as The U, UM, or The 'Canes, are the intercollegiate sports teams that represent the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. The Hurricanes compete in NCAA Division I, Division I of the National Coll ...

and was selected 42nd overall by the

Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

in the

2018 NBA draft The 2018 NBA Draft was held on June 21, 2018, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur United States college basketball players and other eligible players, including internationa ...

. He has also played for the

Brooklyn Nets The Brooklyn Nets are an American professional basketball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Brooklyn. The Nets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), ...

Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...

Toronto Raptors The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto. The Raptors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), E ...

, and

New Orleans Pelicans The New Orleans Pelicans are an American professional basketball team based in New Orleans. The Pelicans compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Confere ...

. In

2023 Catastrophic natural disasters in 2023 included the Lists of 21st-century earthquakes, 5th-deadliest earthquake of the 21st century 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, striking Turkey and Syria, leaving up to 62,000 people dead; Cyclone Freddy ...

, he was a key contributor of the Nuggets' championship run off the bench. Despite being undersized, Brown plays the

small forward The small forward (SF), also known as the three, is one of the five Basketball position, positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically shorter, quicker, and leaner than Power forward (basketball), power forwards and Cent ...

and both

guard Guard or guards may refer to: Professional occupations * Bodyguard, who protects an individual from personal assault * Crossing guard, who stops traffic so pedestrians can cross the street * Lifeguard, who rescues people from drowning * Prison gu ...

positions.

High school career

Brown played basketball and

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

for

Wakefield Memorial High School Wakefield Memorial High School is a Public school (government funded), public school located in Wakefield, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2007–08 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,006 students and 83 classroom teachers ( ...

Wakefield, Massachusetts Wakefield is a New England town, town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston, greater Boston metropolitan area, municipal corporation, incorporated in 1812 in the United States, 1812 and located about north-nor ...

. For his junior season, he transferred to

Vermont Academy Vermont Academy (VA) is a private, co-educational, college preparatory, boarding and day school in Saxtons River, Vermont, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, as well as postgraduates. Founded in 1876, the campus was listed on ...

Saxtons River, Vermont Saxtons River is an incorporated village in the town of Rockingham, Vermont, Rockingham in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 479 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. For over a hundred years, Saxtons Rive ...

. As a senior, Brown led his team to the

New England Preparatory School Athletic Council The New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) is an organization that serves as the governing body for sports in preparatory schools and leagues in New England. The organization has 169 full member schools as well as 24 associate ...

Class AA title and was named tournament

most valuable player In team sports, a most valuable player (MVP) award is an honor typically bestowed upon an individual (or individuals, in the instance of a tie) whose individual performance is the greatest in an entire league, for a particular competition, or ...

. He was selected to play in the 2016

Jordan Brand Classic The Jordan Brand Classic is a high school all star basketball game played annually in April. The game's rosters feature the best and most highly recruited high school boys and girls in the senior class. In 2015, a girl's game was introduced. Th ...

. Brown was considered a five-star

recruit Recruit may refer to: Military * Military recruitment * Recruit training, in the military * '' Rekrut'' (English: Recruit), a military recruit or low rank in German-speaking countries * Seaman recruit Ships * HMS ''Recruit'', several ships of ...

247Sports 247Sports is an American network of websites that focus mainly on college recruiting, athletic recruitment in college football and college basketball, basketball. It is owned and operated by Paramount Global, Paramount. The website hosts a large ...

and

ESPN ESPN (an initialism of their original name, which was the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by the Walt Disney Company (80% and operational control) and Hearst Commu ...

and a four-star recruit by

Rivals A rivalry is the state of two people or Social group, groups engaging in a lasting competitive relationship. Rivalry is the "against each other" spirit between two competing sides. The relationship itself may also be called "a rivalry", and each ...

. Brown was ranked no. 26 overall recruit and fifth-best shooting guard in the 2016 high school class. On November 18, 2015, he committed to play

for the

over an offer from

Indiana Indiana ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Michigan to the northwest, Michigan to the north and northeast, Ohio to the east, the Ohio River and Kentucky to the s ...

, among others.

College career

As a sophomore with the Miami Hurricanes, Brown averaged 11.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and four assists per game and shot 27 percent from three-point range. He only played 19 games and missed the postseason with a left foot injury that required surgery. After the season Brown declared for the

but did not hire an agent, thereby allowing for the possibility of returning to college. He ultimately decided to stay in the draft.

Professional career

Detroit Pistons (2018–2020)

On June 21, 2018, Brown was drafted 42nd overall by the

in the

. Brown made his NBA debut on October 17, 2018, against the

, scoring no points with two rebounds and an assist in 19 minutes of action. On November 2, 2019, he posted 22 points and seven assists, with no turnovers, in a 113–109 win over the Nets. On February 2, 2020, Brown recorded 19 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a 128–123 overtime victory over the

Brooklyn Nets (2020–2022)

On November 19, 2020, Brown was traded to the

in a three-team trade. On February 23, 2021, Brown scored a career-high 29 points in the Nets' 127–118 win against the

Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Confere ...

. On April 23, 2022, he scored a team leading 26 points for the Nets in a losing effort against the Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Nets fell to 0–3 after that game. His performance in games 2 and 3 were notably impressive, as he scored 23 or more points in both contests, despite eclipsing 20 points only four times throughout the entire regular season.

Denver Nuggets (2022–2023)

On July 7, 2022, Brown signed with the

. Brown signed a two-year contract worth $13 million, with a player option on the second year. The Nets had chosen not to match the Nuggets' taxpayer mid-level exception offer for Brown and acquired

Royce O'Neale Royce Khalil O'Neale (born June 5, 1993) is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Denver Pioneers and the Baylor Bears. College career ...

as a replacement instead. On November 23, Brown recorded a

triple-double In basketball, a double-double is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates ten or more in two of the following five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. The first "double" in the term ...

with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists during a win against the

Oklahoma City Thunder The Oklahoma City Thunder are an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City. The Thunder compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division (NBA), Northwest Division of the Western Confer ...

. In 2023, Brown and the Nuggets reached the

NBA Finals The NBA Finals is the annual championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern and Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference champions play a best-of-seven series to determine the league ...

where they defeated the

Miami Heat The Miami Heat are an American professional basketball team based in Miami. The Heat compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division (NBA), Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern C ...

in five games to give Brown his first

NBA championship The NBA Finals is the annual championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern and Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference champions play a best-of-seven series to determine the league ...

. In game 4 of the series, Brown scored a pivotal 21 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, to help Denver open up a 3–1 series lead with a 108–95 victory over the Heat. In Game 5, Brown scored the winning points on a layup off an offensive rebound with just over 90 seconds left in the game, and hit two free throws to make it a two-possession game with less than 30 seconds remaining as the Nuggets defeated Miami 94–89 to win their first championship in franchise history after a 47-year drought.

Indiana Pacers (2023–2024)

On July 6, 2023, Brown signed a 2-year, $45 million contract with the

. Brown saw an increased role in Indiana, earning a starting position as the highest-paid Pacer for the 2023–24 season. On October 25, 2023, Brown impressed in his Pacers debut, scoring a team-high 24 points with a career-high 6-of-8 three-point shooting performance, along with three rebounds and a steal in a 143–120 win over the

Washington Wizards The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays i ...

Toronto Raptors (2024–2025)

On January 17, 2024, the Pacers traded Brown, along with

Jordan Nwora Jordan Ifeanyi Nwora ( ; born September 9, 1998) is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player who play for Crvena zvezda of the ABA League and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals. He plays internati ...

Kira Lewis Jr. Kira Aundrea Lewis Jr. ( ; born April 6, 2001) is an American professional basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete ...

and three first-round draft picks to the

in exchange for

Pascal Siakam Pascal Siakam ( ; born 2 April 1994) is a Cameroonian professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A three-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA Team, All-NBA selection, he won an NBA champ ...

New Orleans Pelicans (2025)

On February 6, 2025, the Raptors traded Brown,

Kelly Olynyk Kelly Tyler Olynyk ( ; born April 19, 1991) is a Canadian professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, where he earned NCAA All- ...

and multiple draft picks to the

in exchange for

Brandon Ingram Brandon Xavier Ingram (born September 2, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the second overall pick in the 2016 N ...

Return to Denver (2025–present)

On July 9, 2025, Brown signed with the

, returning to the franchise for a second stint.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

, - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

, 74 , , 56 , , 19.6 , , .398 , , .258 , , .750 , , 2.5 , , 1.2 , , .5 , , .5 , , 4.3 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 58 , , 43 , , 28.2 , , .443 , , .344 , , .739 , , 4.7 , , 4.0 , , 1.1 , , .5 , , 8.9 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

, 65 , , 37 , , 22.3 , , .556 , , .288 , , .735 , , 5.4 , , 1.6 , , .9 , , .4 , , 8.8 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 72 , , 45 , , 24.6 , , .506 , , .404 , , .758 , , 4.8 , , 2.1 , , 1.1 , , .7 , , 9.0 , - , style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;", ^† , style="text-align:left;",

Denver Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...

, 80 , , 31 , , 28.5 , , .483 , , .358 , , .758 , , 4.1 , , 3.4 , , 1.1 , , .6 , , 11.5 , - , style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2 , , style="text-align:left;",

, 33 , , 33 , , 29.7 , , .475 , , .327 , , .817 , , 4.7 , , 3.0 , , 1.1 , , .2 , , 12.1 , - , style="text-align:left;",

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

, 34 , , 11 , , 26.0 , , .481 , , .317 , , .833 , , 3.8 , , 2.7 , , .7 , , .3 , , 9.6 , - , style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2, , style="text-align:left;",

, 18 , , 0 , , 19.6 , , .435 , , .306 , , .897 , , 3.8 , , 1.6 , , .9 , , .2 , , 8.4 , - , style="text-align:left;",

New Orleans New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 ...

, 23 , , 12 , , 24.7 , , .410 , , .356 , , .750 , , 4.2 , , 2.4 , , .7 , , .3 , , 8.2 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 457 , , 268 , , 24.9 , , .476 , , .337 , , .768 , , 4.2 , , 2.4 , , .9 , , .5 , , 8.9

Playoffs

, - , style="text-align:left;",

2019 This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year. Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 4 , , 2 , , 14.3 , , .357 , , .200 , , 1.000 , , 2.0 , , .5 , , .5 , , .3 , , 3.3 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2021 Like the year 2020, 2021 was also heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the emergence of multiple Variants of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 variants. The major global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which began at the end of 2020, continued ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 12 , , 5 , , 23.1 , , .506 , , .182 , , .813 , , 5.1 , , 2.1 , , .7 , , .4 , , 7.9 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2022 The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 4 , , 4 , , 34.8 , , .568 , , .429 , , .800 , , 4.8 , , 2.8 , , 1.3 , , .8 , , 14.0 , - , style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;",

^† , style="text-align:left;",

, 20 , , 0 , , 26.6 , , .511 , , .316 , , .857 , , 4.0 , , 1.9 , , 1.1 , , .5 , , 12.0 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 40 , , 11 , , 25.1 , , .510 , , .310 , , .844 , , 4.2 , , 1.9 , , .9 , , .5 , , 10.1

College

, - , style="text-align:left;", 2016–17 , style="text-align:left;",

Miami Miami is a East Coast of the United States, coastal city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade County in South Florida. It is the core of the Miami metropolitan area, which, with a populat ...

, 33 , , 29 , , 31.9 , , .459 , , .347 , , .744 , , 5.6 , , 3.2 , , 1.5 , , .5 , , 11.8 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2017–18 , style="text-align:left;",

, 19 , , 19 , , 33.7 , , .415 , , .267 , , .629 , , 7.1 , , 4.0 , , 1.3 , , .8 , , 11.4 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 52 , , 48 , , 32.6 , , .442 , , .316 , , .702 , , 6.2 , , 3.5 , , 1.4 , , .6 , , 11.7

References

External links

Miami Hurricanes bio

ESPN profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brown, Bruce 1996 births Living people 21st-century American sportsmen American expatriate basketball people in Canada American men's basketball players Basketball players from Boston Brooklyn Nets players Denver Nuggets players Detroit Pistons draft picks Detroit Pistons players Indiana Pacers players Miami Hurricanes men's basketball players Point guards Shooting guards Small forwards Toronto Raptors players Vermont Academy alumni