There will be a role for former Kentucky Wildcat Koby Brea in the NBA

The NBA Draft is coming up in June, and a few players from last season’s Kentucky team have a shot to be selected.

One player who could be taken in the middle of the second round is the Wildcats sharpshooter Koby Brea who averaged 11.6 points per game last season. Brea shot 43.5% from three last season and was one of the best shooters in the nation over the last few seasons.

Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report wrote an article that was a mock draft, and he had Brea being selected with the 44th overall pick.

Here is why Wasserman believes Brea will be selected in the 2025 NBA Draft, “Koby Brea was silent during Kentucky’s loss to Tennessee, and the performance reminded scouts that he’s not offering much else when his shot isn’t falling. But some scouts think he’s too skilled of a shooter to let go undrafted. The list of college players at 6’6″ to shoot 42.0 percent on 700 career attempts is short, and half carved out NBA careers or roles (Allan Houston, Dennis Scott, Jason Kapono, Kyle Korver, Sam Hauser, Steve Novak).”

Brea would have some work to do as a defender to be able to play a big role in the NBA, but there is no question that his shooting ability makes him a player ready for the next level.

At 6’6 Brea will be able to get some good looks shooting the ball, and an NBA team would be silly to not take a chance on his upside as a shooter. Brea is the type of player who could be taken in the second round and turn into a star in the league thanks to his offensive production.

In today’s NBA, spacing is everything. The ability to stretch defenses, punish overhelping, and create gravity without the ball has never been more valuable. It’s why players like Duncan Robinson, Sam Hauser, and even Max Strus have built entire careers around one elite skill: shooting.

And that’s precisely why former Kentucky Wildcat Koby Brea will have a role in the NBA.

After wrapping up a quietly prolific college career, Brea enters the 2025 NBA Draft process as one of the best pure shooters in the country — and possibly the best perimeter weapon not being talked about enough. Though he isn’t a household name in mock drafts, NBA scouts and analytics departments are taking notice of a profile that screams plug-and-play shooting specialist.

Koby Brea’s college career didn’t start at Kentucky. The 6-foot-6 guard spent four years at Dayton, where he evolved from an off-the-bench option into one of the most efficient three-point shooters in all of Division I. In his senior season with the Flyers, Brea led the nation in three-point percentage (51.2%) while shooting over six attempts per game — a number that is borderline absurd in modern college basketball.

He transferred to Kentucky for his final year of eligibility, where expectations were modest. But John Calipari and his staff immediately recognized Brea’s shooting gravity and slotted him into a defined role: floor-spacing, off-ball movement, and surgical precision behind the arc. Despite coming off the bench, Brea shot over 45% from three on high volume, regularly flipping the momentum of games with timely triples.

“He’s a sniper,” Calipari said during the season. “Every team needs one. And Koby never forces anything — he just finds windows and makes you pay.”

NBA scouts love translatable skills. And few college players possess a more translatable offensive weapon than Brea’s shooting stroke.

Consider the numbers:

• Career 43.7% from three on over 500 attempts.

• Effective Field Goal % of 66.1 his final college season.

• Catch-and-shoot specialist with a quick, high release and deep range.

• Nearly 1.4 points per possession on spot-up threes, per Synergy Sports.

These metrics put Brea in elite company. According to a scouting source, Brea ranked in the 98th percentile nationally in catch-and-shoot efficiency and in the 97th percentile when guarded. That means it didn’t matter if a hand was in his face — he still punished you.

“He’s one of the best shooters I’ve ever scouted,” said one NBA scout at the Portsmouth Invitational. “His footwork, balance, and decision-making are all pro-ready. He doesn’t need to be a star to help you win games.”

Brea isn’t projected to be a primary ball handler or an isolation scorer in the NBA — and that’s perfectly fine. That’s not how he’s going to earn a paycheck.

Instead, Brea fits the mold of a movement shooter — a player who warps defenses without even touching the ball. Think of a Doug McDermott, Luke Kennard, or Isaiah Joe: guys who can run off stagger screens, relocate instinctively, and make the defense scramble in panic just to keep up.

Those players don’t need high usage or play calls. They thrive in systems where movement is rewarded, spacing is sacred, and discipline is the key to floor time.

That’s where Brea slides in seamlessly.

The biggest knock on Brea isn’t his shooting — it’s what he brings on the other end of the floor. At 6’6″, he has decent size, but he isn’t an explosive athlete and can sometimes struggle to stay in front of quicker guards. His lateral quickness is average, and he’ll need to improve strength and conditioning to survive on switches at the next level.

He also isn’t a primary creator with the ball in his hands. While he makes smart decisions and can connect plays, Brea isn’t likely to be running a second unit or creating much off the dribble.

“He’s not going to break down defenses,” one Western Conference scout said. “But in the right lineup, next to creators and athletes, he becomes a problem for opposing defenses.”

A number of playoff-caliber teams — and even rebuilding franchises — are in the market for low-usage, high-efficiency shooters who can play 10-15 minutes off the bench without disrupting the flow of a game.

Here are a few destinations that could fit Brea’s game:

• Miami Heat: Erik Spoelstra has built careers out of undrafted shooters like Duncan Robinson and Max Strus. Brea would thrive in Miami’s motion-heavy system and could develop under one of the league’s best cultures.

• Golden State Warriors: The Warriors value shooting, high IQ, and off-ball movement. Brea fits that blueprint. He could learn behind Klay Thompson and develop into a rotational piece for a second unit in need of consistent shooting.

• Denver Nuggets: With Nikola Jokić commanding attention, Denver’s role players are expected to shoot, cut, and defend smartly. Brea’s ability to knock down open threes would be maximized in this system.

• Boston Celtics: A team built around spacing, drive-and-kick offense, and perimeter shooting, the Celtics would be an ideal spot for Brea to showcase his catch-and-shoot skills without needing the ball in his hands.

• San Antonio Spurs: With Victor Wembanyama demanding so much gravity already, San Antonio needs shooters to capitalize. Brea could be a low-cost, high-upside pickup to plug into their young core.

Most mock drafts currently have Brea projected as a late second-rounder or priority undrafted free agent. But don’t let that deter you — that’s exactly the lane where many of the NBA’s best role shooters have emerged.

There’s also a strong likelihood he’ll earn a two-way contract, splitting time between the NBA and G League in Year 1. That path has become increasingly common for specialized shooters, allowing them to hone defensive technique and physical development without the pressure of a full-time NBA load.

“He’s a guy you can bring into camp, give 15 minutes in a preseason game, and he’ll knock down 4 of 5 threes and make your decision real tough,” said a G League executive.

Talk to anyone who’s coached Brea — from Dayton to Kentucky — and one word comes up repeatedly: professional.

“He takes care of his business,” said Dayton head coach Anthony Grant. “He’s meticulous. Shoots before practice, after practice, studies the game. Doesn’t complain. Doesn’t chase the spotlight.”

That attitude is part of what makes him a strong candidate for a long-term pro career. Coaches at the NBA level love players who buy into roles, show maturity, and bring value without ego.

“Koby knows who he is,” said Kentucky assistant Chin Coleman. “And in the league, that matters more than people realize.”

• Ceiling: An elite spot-up shooter who earns a permanent role as a second-unit sniper, akin to Sam Hauser or Isaiah Joe — capable of swinging quarters with quick scoring bursts.

• Floor: A G League contributor and occasional call-up who brings locker room value and fills in during injury stretches.

• Most Likely Outcome: A rotational NBA wing who earns a roster spot by Year 2, thanks to elite shooting and high basketball IQ.

In a league always on the hunt for efficient, disciplined, three-point marksmen, Koby Brea is exactly the type of player that fits the direction of the modern game. While he may not be a franchise-changer or a lottery pick, his ability to affect games without monopolizing possessions makes him valuable on nearly every roster.

As one anonymous scout put it: “There’s always room in the NBA for a guy who shoots 45% from three and doesn’t make mistakes.”

Koby Brea may not walk across the NBA Draft stage amid fireworks and fanfare, but don’t be surprised when he sticks. The NBA is increasingly specialized, and if there’s one skill that has proven immune to time, systems, or trends, it’s shooting.

Brea brings that in spades — along with the mindset to complement it.

Whether it’s through the draft, Summer League, or a two-way contract, the question isn’t if he’ll find a role in the NBA. It’s where — and when — a smart franchise will give him the green light.