NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Top-10 recruit Greg Brown III to decide on April 24
Highly touted class of 2020 NCAA Basketball recruit Greg Brown III will reveal his college choice on April 24.
Consensus top 10 2020 prospect Greg Brown III is one of the highest-rated uncommitted recruits. However, Brown announced, on Saturday, that he will make his college choice on April 24. The Austin (TX) native is choosing from his final five of Memphis, Texas, Auburn, Kentucky, and Michigan. U-M, which replaced UNC on his list, is the only new team in his top five schools from his first release of his finalists seven months ago.
Brown has taken official trips to all five schools, with Michigan being his most recent visit on Feb. 7. The 6-9 combo forward was at Texas (Sept. 6-8), Auburn (Nov. 29-Dec. 1), Memphis (Jan. 3-5), and Kentucky (Jan. 10-12).
The 2020 McDonald’s All-American selection averaged 26.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 2.1 assists per game in 35 games at Vandergrift High School in 2019-20. He also made 86 3-pointers while making them at a 38% clip. Brown, who was selected as the POY in Texas, led Vandergrift (33-3) in the quarterfinals of the to the UIL Class 6A regional quarterfinals.
Brown is a lengthy, high-level athlete who is terrific in transition and a tremendous finisher around the rim. He can play inside and on the perimeter, though he is more of a slasher than shooter when outside; however, his shooting is improving.
The five-star recruit is ranked as the eighth-best prospect in 2020 by Rivals and the 10th best in 247Sports rankings. Meanwhile, ESPN and 247Sports Composite has him at No. 9. Brown is projected to play one season of college basketball.
Jalen Green, Ziare Williams, and Joshua Christopher are the other top prospects that remain uncommitted.
Looking at the five finalists:
Auburn: Brown recently told Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports that he has a great relationship with head coach Bruce Pearl and really liked the campus. He added that he felt that the Tigers would be a perfect fit and that he wished that they have won a lot recently.
The Tigers went 25-6 this past season and finished ranked in the AP top 25 for the third straight year. The Tigers, a 2019 Final Four participant, also have won at least 25 games each of the last three seasons and are 125-78 under 60-year-old. While Jared Harper is the only Auburn player to play in the NBA since Pearl took over the program, the Tigers’ Chuma Okeke was selected with the No. 16 overall pick this past season. And they may have another high draft choice in 2020 with Isaac Okoro.
Auburn loses several key contributors, in addition to Okoro, with frontcourt players Austin Wiley, Danjel Purifoy, and Anfernee McLemore among the players departing. Thus, leaving the Tigers with just three scholarship players who play the 3, 4 or 5. Jaylin Williams, a four-star recruit, is the only projected returnee to make any impact this past year.
The Tigers currently have the No. 18 recruiting class, according to 247Sports, in the nation with three players signed — led by five-star Sharife Cooper. They are expected to have three more scholarships and are in the mix for Green as well as big men Cliff Omuruyi and JT Thor.
Kentucky: Kentucky has been one of the best programs since head coach John Calipari has taken over the program, and they produce a lot of pros, which Brown said he liked. The Wildcats don’t currently have any scholarship available and are now one over the limit. However, Tyrese Maxey, along with Ashton Hagans and Nick Richards are expected to head to the NBA. It is believed that Immanuel Quickley and EJ Montgomery could return to Big Blue Nation. Plus, the Cats already have commitments from forwards Isaiah Jackson, Lance Ware, and Cam’Ron Fletcher — all four-star recruits.
Memphis: Brown has developed a strong relationship with Penny Hardaway and Mike Miller over the last two years, and he liked the campus and environment there. Memphis closed the 2019-20 season by winning four of its last six to salvage a once-promising season and finish at 21-10. The Tigers, who don’t have any commitments at the present time in 2020-21, have a lot of young talent, but they could lose five-star Precious Achiuwa to the NBA.
Michigan: Brown liked Michigan about as much as he loved the other schools. Juwan Howard did an outstanding job in his first season as a coach. The Wolverines currently have the No. 4 recruiting class and now have 14 players on scholarship for next year. It is conceivable that Isaiah Livers departs for the NBA. However, they are expected to receive a commitment from five-star Josh Christopher. Besides, they already have commitments from five-star forward Isaiah Todd and four-star Terrence Williams.
Texas: Brown has been high on the Longhorns for quite a while and is considered the overwhelming favorite with Shaka Smart expected to return as coach. Texas won five of its last six contests to get back in contention for an NCAA Tournament bid. While the Longhorns have won at least 19 games in three of the previous four seasons, they have not won an NCAA Tournament game or finished above fourth in the Big 12. Texas is not expected to lose anyone off of the 2019-20 roster, and with only one scholarship available, the Longhorns have yet to nab a prospect from the class of 2020.
Next. Final SEC power rankings for 2019-20. dark
Prediction: Unless something drastically changes, this has all the makings of a two-team race. I believe that Texas, which has long been considered a favorite, will win the battle unless they change course and fire Smart. Memphis is currently the second favorite with a wide margin over the rest of the field, though, depending on who returns for Kentucky, I can see the Wildcats slide in the No. 2 spot. If Montgomery and Richards return, I believe that the order will be 3. Auburn with Michigan and Kentucky following way behind.