The Milwaukee Bucks have only one pick in this year’s draft, no. 47 overall in the second round. Many people familiar with the organization expect them to select an NBA-ready player who can contribute meaningful minutes off the bat. Wisconsin’s John Tonje is a name often linked to the Bucks, but his draft stock has risen. Projected by ESPN to go 42nd to the Kings, he is no longer a high-probability option for Milwaukee. The latest mock has them choosing a up-sized guard out of Kentucky, senior Koby Brea.
Koby Brea Supplied Surefire Sniping for Dayton, Kentucky
A transfer from Dayton, Brea started 16 of his 36 games in his sole season for the Wildcats. The 6-foot-7 two-guard averaged 11.6 points on 47% from the field and 43.2% from distance (5.9 attempts). High-volume sniping is the name of his game. At Dayton in 2023-24, he made half of his six attempts per game.
Milwaukee Bucks, Koby Brea, NBA draft
Kentucky Wildcats guard Koby Brea (4) reacts after a made three point basket against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Image Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Brea produced a pair of excellent performances in Kentucky’s March Madness run, highlighted by 23 points versus Illinois in the second round. He put up a clunker in the Sweet 16 (1-7, 5 points), but Kentucky never stood a chance in its wire-to-wire loss to Tennessee.
The fact that most of Brea’s offensive production came from beyond the arc shouldn’t necessarily concern the Bucks. Plugging him in on the perimeter and simply asking him to knock down open looks fits the bill of an immediate role-player contributor. Yes, the NBA 3-point line is a bit farther back, but shooting a basketball is like riding a bike: you don’t forget how to do it.
As opposed to an older player whose game relies on bodying defenders and getting to the rim, the 22-year-old’s offensive skillset, though limited, should translate smoothly to the NBA.
Milwaukee Bucks, Koby Brea, NBA draft
Mar 13, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Koby Brea (4) dribbles past Oklahoma Sooners guard Jeremiah Fears (0) during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Milwaukee Bucks Would Need Him To Improve Defensively
Unfortunately, Brea is essentially a one-trick pony at this point in his development. Yahoo Sports NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor characterizes him as a “shooting specialist.” That would be fine except that he isn’t a good defender, ruling out a 3-and-D role.
“He lacks quickness moving laterally, doesn’t generate many steals and blocks, and has quite a lean frame despite his age,” O’Connor says.
Listed between 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-7, Brea has the perfect stature for a wing defender – he has a couple inches on guys like Gary Trent Jr. who served that role for Milwaukee last season – but that means nothing if he lacks agility and strength. Defensive improvement would have to be an area of high focus were the Bucks to draft him.
O’Connor compares Brea to Boston’s Sam Hauser, a career 42% 3-point shooter off the bench. By year two, Hauser was playing 80 games, 16 minutes per night. He’s been at around 22 minutes each of the last two seasons, scoring 8.5 PPG in 2024-25. That isn’t super exciting, but it’s about what the Bucks are looking for with the 47th pick.
Milwaukee Bucks, NBA draft, Koby Brea, Sam Hauser
Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) warms up before game five against the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
There are some red flags in Brea’s profile, and yes, the Bucks already have a long-range specialist in AJ Green, but you can never have enough shooting in today’s NBA. Assuming they don’t re-sign Taurean Prince, they need to replace his marksmanship somehow. If Brea grows to hold his own defensively and be what Hauser is for the Celtics, he would have a spot on Milwaukee’s roster.
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