John Brown, Senior, High Point, Forward, 6’8, 205
(2014-15, 31.1 mpg) 19.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.7 tpg, 1.0 bpg
55.0 FG%, 75.6 FT%, 58.9 TS%, 55.0 eFG%
31.8 USG%, 13.3 OREB%, 11.3 DREB%, 12.3 TRB%, 4.1 BLK%, 2.5 STL%
DOB: 1/28/1992 (23) Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
2015 First Team All-Big South (3rd consecutive year)
2014 Big South Player of the Year
The Watch List is not meant to replace full scouting reports and is only meant as a guide for who and what to watch for this upcoming season
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One of the more exciting college basketball players that not many know about, Brown has been dominant in the Big South the past three seasons. Strong and athletic, the lefty-shooting Brown is an undersized mid/low post player, who uses his physical talents to create mismatches on the offensive side of the floor. Brown does a good job looking to establish position in the low post, and he has the strength to hold his ground against bigger players. Brown has a couple of reliable back-to-the-basket post moves, and good footwork, but usually relies on short to mid-range jumpers which he shoots as a turnaround over either shoulder, or out of a face-up in the post. Also, he likes to draw defenders out to the midrange area where he can beat them off the dribble to the basket, showing good body control, though he doesn’t look to do it as often as he could. Brown has shown a nice touch around the basket, especially with a short hook with his left hand. Brown can be one of the most spectacular finishers at the rim in college basketball, especially when he gets out in transition. Brown does a very good job cutting to the basket on a teammate’s penetration, looking either for a pass after his man helps, or to get into good position for an offensive rebound. Brown is a very good offensive rebounder, getting into position quickly, boxing out well, and using his leaping ability to go up and get to the ball. He is also very quick to get off good second shots, using his body well to create space around the rim. Defensively, Brown’ can be a very good on-ball defender, moving his feet well and keeping a strong defensive position. He can also be a very physical defender, especially in the post, using his body to guard bigger opponents. Brown runs the floor well in transition and he is a great target when he heads for the basket and uses his athleticism to get up above the rim to finish.
What he needs to show this season: As I mentioned, Brown has been dominant in the Big South for the past couple of years, but he has also done well against high-major opponents. His combination of strength and athleticism can be tough to defend, even for legitimate big men. Still, he doesn’t seem to take advantage of all of his ability, becoming more reliant on shooting mid-range jumpers. The form on his jumper is good, and he is consistent, though he has this habit of looking to fade away on shots when he doesn’t need to. Even so, in many ways, Brown’s offensive skill-set is still limited, and he needs to improve his ballhandling skills to start to fully take advantage of his abilities. He does do a good job using his dribble to create space for his jumper, and he is very efficient with his dribbling in the post area, but he will need to learn to take advantage of the driving lanes that are presented to him on the perimeter, and becoming more confident going to his right hand, both dribbling and shooting around the basket. Defensively, he is tough and active, but he does have lapses, especially off the ball. With Brown often playing as High Point’s “big man”, Brown does need to deal with some awkward match-ups at times, but he adjusts well. As a rebounder, Brown needs to bring the same kind of intensity that he does on the offensive boards to the defensive side. While he does a good job establishing position and boxing out, he doesn’t seem to go after the missed shots as hard as he does on offense.
Where he fits at the next level: Brown has been a force in the Big South now for three seasons, but his role at High Point has seem to stunted his development in some ways, mainly because of playing as an undersized big man. It’s certainly worked for the team, as High Point won 23 games last year, and Brown has developed his game in other ways. His mid-range jumper has improved, and he is as physical a forward as you’ll find in college basketball, but with the athleticism to complement it. At the next level, while in some places he may be able to continue in a similar role as an undersized 4, he’d most likely be asked to take on more of a small forward role, which means becoming a better ballhandler and increasing the range on his jumper. Much of Brown’s game still needs to be polished, and with him turning 24 during this upcoming season, there may not be a ton more upside, but with his combination of skill and physical ability, he’s going to get his shot at the NBA, but his progression over his final year will be important.
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