Brown Recruitment

[RalphDaltonFan]

First off, I have ZERO inside info and hate when posters pretend to--if it's so inside-they aren't going to post a damn thing on a team message board or twitter. However one thing I laugh about in regard to recruiting is how the main story line is always on what you don't want to hear instead of what you do.

Brown is an "Adidas" guy--on the Adidas circuit--get it. Know what he was once quoted saying in regard to where he'll end up attending school. Yet looking at the kid's final list of 8--5 are NIKE teams (UK, UNC, Cal, UGA, and GTech) with UCLA, Kansas, and Michigan being the Adidas schools (well Michigan for now-their contract is up in '16 and are open to looking elsewhere). Also--the last time I checked the predominant Nike events being held back to back weekends (Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand classic) are involving Brown. Now this isn't to say he won't end up at a non Nike school-very well could--but what I do know is the only thing for certain is nobody knows what he's going to do--because the "Cal Package Deal" would involve things Brown has been mentioned by so many as not being into--sharing spotlight and at a Nike Jordan Brand school.

Also--Andrew Wiggins was a Nike kid--in terms of his AAU allegiance, and what HS he attended and we all know how that turned out. Deals are made, etc...but it's not as cut and dry as so many want to make it. One thing I will find interesting is Bleacher Report's involvement--as they were also involved with USC football signee Iman "Biggie" Marshall and he released his commitment to USC in a video piece on Signing Day via Bleacher Report. So I'd not look too much into this other then they want to start breaking into the recruiting/breaking commitments business.

Good luck to UK/think you'll have a strong class no matter what--but don't be so quick to throw in towel on a kid that to me has a lot more reasons to choose UK after the deparing 7 left then he did if half stayed.

 

[CoachR35]

I appreciate the insight. I hope we are able to land him. We'll see how things progress over the next few days.

 

[Cat Ballou]

The thing to remember about Brown is his recruitment has been an immense study in contradictions, specifically -

1. Despite saying a year ago that he didn't like the recruitment process and would probably commit early, his recruitment has turned into one of the most protracted, hyped recruitments out there.
2. Again, despite declaring allegiance to Adidas, 5 of his Final 8 are Nike/Jordan schools.
3. He talks about academics being important, but at one time claimed that going the Mudiay route and playing overseas was an option.
4. In a recent interview, he says proximity to home was important - yet UCLA and Cal are considered major players in his recruitment.

I don't have a lot of confidence in our chances with him, but Brown's recruitment reminds me a lot of Wiggins' two years ago. In the final analysis, up until the last 2-3 days before he committed, it turns out that none of the experts or insiders had a clue what was going on with Wiggins recruitment, and I think even Bill Self was somewhat taken by surprise when Wiggins ended up at Kansas.

So who knows, maybe we could be the recipients of a pleasant surprise with Brown. Whatever the case, it has been an interesting recruitment.

 

[Jonathan40330]

I am sure I am in the vast minority, but I really haven't paid attention to Brown's recruitment like I have several other young men in this recruiting class because he seems to contradict himself so much. Of course, he is a young man and young men change their minds from one day to the next, but I feel like he, much like Wiggins, is purposely trying to use misdirection in order to gain additional exposure. I am not saying there is anything wrong with it, but I have long felt his chances of landing at UK to be very narrow, so have all but locked up Matthews at the SF slot next season as far as newcomers.

 

[EclipsingYou]

Jonathan,

I think that you will see Brandon Ingram starting at the 3 and will be MORE than content with what he will bring to the table. Ignore his Rivals ranking. He is a top 8 player that will be an EXTREMELY impactful OAD wherever he ends up. I hope like hell it is Kentucky!

 

[wildcatswillwin]

Everyone on ESPN say Brown is going to Kansas.

 

[emmcat]

I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE BROWN WILL GO.BASED ON THE LIMITED VIEWING OF HIM AND OTHERS, I PREFER INGRAM.. HE IS A BETTER SHOOTER AND BALL HANDLER.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

UGA is on his list of schools, but it's token interest he isn't going to sign with UGA. But you are correct about him putting out word that he will play at an adidas school, I wasn't sure which UK was until readying through this board. But something else he has put out there and I haven't seen it here, maybe its been on in the past but is this. He may not even sign with any school and head to Europe for a year, now that could just be talk and I don't know if it would be a wise move for him, but its something he talked about in an interview with the Atlanta paper back during the HS season.

 

[CatPhight_rivals65113]

I think Cal reels him in.