NCAA Basketball: 2020 wing Eugene Brown talks recruitment

Eugene Brown is an elite wing in the 2020 NCAA basketball recruiting class. He talks about his injury recovery, playing style, and his ongoing recruitment.

Eugene Brown is ranked as one of the top wing players in the 2020 recruiting class. Although he has dipped in rankings a bit as a result of a major injury during this past high school season, he is still widely considered as a fringe top-100 recruit (No. 119 by 247Sports Composite). Now that he is back to being healthy and explosive, though, he could be on the verge of the breakout summer that many expected.

Out of Decatur, GA, the 6-foot-5 wing is well-known as an elite shooter from distance with the ability to defend multiple positions at a high level. In the modern age of basketball, it is hard to find a better fit. As a result, Brown has been recruited by some of the top programs in the nation. He is clearly going to be a top target for every program that remains in his recruitment and it will be interesting to see how this plays out now that he is back to showcasing his full form as an elite prospect for the next level.

With potentially plenty of time remaining in his recruitment process, Brown talked to me regarding his recovery from injury, his top schools, and what he might be prioritizing when it comes to making a decision.

Q: How does it feel to be back on the court following your injury and what was perhaps the most challenging part of recovery?

“When I initially came back (with the screw in my leg), I was having pain due to the screw rubbing against my bone, so I thought this was I was going to feel for the rest of my life, which was making me limit myself within my play subconsciously. But once I went to the doctor, he said we can take it out and that made a huge difference in how I felt. I was gaining confidence quickly, back to dunking and cutting different ways off my leg. I would say the metal part was definitely the most challenging, though. There were times when I would go into deep depression not being able to play but I stayed strong throughout it. I was working extremely hard during physical therapy trying to get my leg back strong.”

Q: With regards to your game on the court, what do you view as some of your biggest strengths and some areas that you might be able to improve?

“Some of my biggest strengths are my shooting, ability to defend, IQ, leadership, and playmaking. I can improve on my passing and pick-and-roll reads.”

Q: At this point in time, which schools do you feel are prioritizing you the most? 

“Butler, Georgia, Ohio State, Georgia Tech, and Xavier.”

Q: What are you looking forward to most regarding your recruitment?

“I’m looking forward to these upcoming NCAA camps to prove to a lot of people that the injury didn’t set me back but made me better.”

Q: You recently received a scholarship offer from Georgia. What does that mean to you and what pitch is Coach Crean making?

“It’s a special offer. Coach Crean was making a great pitch about me, my potential, my progress, and me going to the next level.”

Q: You took an official visit to Butler earlier this year. What were some of your biggest takeaways from that trip? Any message from the coaching staff on your fit?

“The trust that I felt from the staff was the biggest takeaway for me. They want me to come in and impact right away.”

Q: What stands out about Ohio State, Georgia Tech, and Xavier?

“They are talking to me more.”

Q: When it comes to your decision time, what are you looking for most in your future school?

“A fit, a school that will help me get to the next level and develop me to be the best I possibly can.”

Eugene Brown is clearly one of the top players in the 2020 class. Now that he is back on the court and healthy, he will likely show why he was ranked as high at No. 79 in the 247Sports Composite at one point. Brown indicated to me that he does not currently have any upcoming visits scheduled, but is planning on visiting Xavier at some point in the fall.