NBA
AN
#23

Aaron Nesmith

Forward · Indiana Pacers · 6'5", 215 lb · Born Oct 16, 1999 · Charleston, South Carolina · Drafted 14th overall, 2020
3-and-D wing2× FinalistNear 50-40-90Playoff record
NBAIndiana PacersForwards
Compare:vs Nembhardvs Mathurinvs Walkervs Huffvs Jr.vs Siakam
In short

Aaron Nesmith is a 6-foot-5 3-and-D wing for the Indiana Pacers — an elite catch-and-shoot threat and tenacious perimeter defender. Drafted 14th in 2020 by Boston out of Vanderbilt and traded to Indiana, he nearly posted a 50-40-90 shooting season in 2024-25 and set an NBA record with six fourth-quarter three-pointers in a 2025 Conference Finals playoff game. He has reached two NBA Finals.

Matchup model · next gameLow confidenceTue, Nov 10
vsLA ClippersDrop coverage
Proj. points
13.7
range 11–16.4
Line 14
46%
to go over
Team win
63%
114–111
Poi 13.7 Lean underReb 4.2 Lean overAss 1.9 Lean underPRA 19.8 Lean under
Likely on himKris Dunn· 86 Perimeter DStrong defender
10+ pts89%15+ pts33%

Model lines Nesmith at 13.7 pts (range 11–16.4) vs a 14 line — roughly a coin flip to clear it (46%).

Biggest edge: venue — home floor — small boost.

Full matchup breakdown · all markets →
Balladex Matchup Model — modeled from real roster ratings, scoring baselines & defender-matchup history. Schedule, availability & head-to-head samples are illustrative in this prototype; production wires live schedule, injury & player-tracking feeds. Not betting advice.
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The Nesmith Story — narrated
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A tough 3-and-D wing — elite catch-and-shoot shooting and physical defense for the Pacers.

A top shooter at Vanderbilt, Nesmith was drafted 14th in 2020 by Boston and traded to Indiana in 2022.

🏫 Vanderbilt · 14th, 2020BOS → IND

He became an elite 3-and-D starter, nearly shooting 50-40-90 in 2024-25.

50.7 / 43.1 / 91.33-and-D

He set an NBA record with six fourth-quarter threes in the 2025 Conference Finals.

6 4th-Q threesPlayoff record

A two-time finalist (2022, 2025), he's a core two-way wing.

2× FinalistCore wing
— end of story —
Want the full numbers? Open the breakdown →
PPG
13.8
2025-26
RPG
4.2
per game
APG
1.9
per game
FG%
.414
.379 from three
LIFE

Roots & the rise

A tough 3-and-D wing — elite catch-and-shoot shooting and physical perimeter defense for the Pacers.

Aaron Nesmith was born in Charleston, South Carolina and was one of the best shooters in his draft class at Vanderbilt before Boston took him 14th in 2020. Traded to Indiana in 2022, he developed into an elite 3-and-D wing and a full-time starter.

He nearly joined the 50-40-90 club in 2024-25 (50.7% from the field, 43.1% from three, 91.3% from the line) and set an NBA record with six fourth-quarter three-pointers in Game 1 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, sparking a comeback win. A two-time NBA finalist (2022 with Boston, 2025 with Indiana), he is a core two-way wing.

Sources: Wikipedia, NBA.com, Basketball-Reference, ESPN.

BEYOND THE GAME

Beyond the game

Nesmith's game is built on shooting and toughness — a reputation forged at Vanderbilt and hardened into one of the league's most reliable 3-and-D wings, rewarded with multiple contract extensions that reflect his winning value. He has reached the NBA Finals with two different franchises, a testament to his fit on contenders.

His on-court identity is catch-and-shoot marksmanship and physical, versatile perimeter defense — a wing who spaces the floor at an elite clip (a near 50-40-90 season) while guarding tough assignments. His record-setting six-three fourth quarter in the 2025 Conference Finals showed the shot-making that makes him a difference-maker in the biggest moments.

PERSONALITY

The person

A tough 3-and-D wing — elite catch-and-shoot shooting and physical perimeter defense.

Elite shooterNearly a 50-40-90 season; a catch-and-shoot marksman.
Physical defenderA tenacious, versatile perimeter stopper.
Big-moment shooterSet an NBA record with six fourth-quarter playoff threes.
PLAYER DNA

Archetype & ratings

Archetype
3-and-D Wing
Temperament
Steady
Leadership
58/100
Scoring63
Playmaking40
Rebounding60
Perimeter D78
Rim protection45
Spacing67
Athleticism70
Clutch64
a 3-and-D wing
ANALYSIS

What the numbers say

Elite 3-and-D value

Nesmith's value is shooting and defense — a catch-and-shoot marksman who nearly shot 50-40-90 in a season, paired with physical, versatile perimeter defense. That 3-and-D profile is exactly what a contender covets on the wing, and his record six-three fourth quarter in the 2025 Conference Finals proved he can swing a playoff game with his shooting.

A winning fit

Reaching the Finals with two different franchises underlines how well Nesmith's floor-spacing and defense fit winning teams. Not a high-volume creator, his value is doing the complementary things at an elite level — spacing, defending, and hitting big shots. Locked in on extensions, he's a proven, high-value core piece for Indiana.

STATS

Season by season

Per game

SeasonGPMINPTSREBASTFG%3P%
2025-264529.713.84.21.9.414.379

Source: Basketball-Reference.

ADVANCED

Advanced & historical

Where he sits in history

2024-25Nearly a 50-40-90 shooting season (50.7% / 43.1% / 91.3%)
2025First player in NBA history with six fourth-quarter three-pointers in a playoff game (Conference Finals Game 1)
FinalsReached the NBA Finals with Boston (2022) and Indiana (2025)

Hardware

2×
NBA Finalist
14th
Draft pick (2020)
OUTLOOK

Where it's headed

AI-generated · updated July 13, 2026

An elite 3-and-D wing and big-moment shooter — a core two-way piece for the Pacers.

Nesmith is a proven 3-and-D wing — a near 50-40-90 shooter and physical perimeter defender whose floor-spacing and defense fit winning teams, as two Finals runs show. His record playoff shooting proves he can swing big games. Locked in on extensions, he's a high-value core piece for Indiana.

Three-point shootingElite
Perimeter defenseStrong
ToughnessStrong
Shot creationLimited

Contract

Role
3-and-D wing core
Finals
2022 · 2025 two teams
Age
26 prime
Bottom line

An elite 3-and-D wing — a near 50-40-90 shooter, physical defender, and record-setting playoff marksman whose floor-spacing and defense make him a high-value core piece for Indiana.

FAQ

Quick answers

What is Aaron Nesmith's role?

An elite 3-and-D wing — a catch-and-shoot marksman (nearly a 50-40-90 season) and physical perimeter defender who spaces the floor and guards tough assignments.

What NBA record does Aaron Nesmith hold?

He became the first player in NBA history to make six three-pointers in the fourth quarter of a playoff game, in Game 1 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals.

How many NBA Finals has Aaron Nesmith reached?

Two — with Boston in 2022 and Indiana in 2025.