Five-star Forward Includes Gators In Final Seven
In an unexpected move class of 2019 top-30 small forward Christian Brown (Lower Richland/Columbia, S.C.) cut his list to seven schools – including Florida – last night. The announcement was made via the Tipton Edits Twitter account.
“Me and my mother talked about it and decided it was time to cut the list,” Brown said. “So, I decided which schools that I was familiar with and had a good relationship with and where I could further my basketball career with. So, cutting down to the seven schools I decided [on] makes it easier. I’m planning official visits, UNLV will be my first one but I don’t have a date yet.”
The 6-foot-6, 200-Brown, who ranks No. 27 in the Rivals150, started the travel season with South Carolina based Upward Stars in the adidas Gauntlet. He averaged a team best 14.9 points and four rebounds through nine games while shooting 51.6 from the field.
This past weekend he ran with, an already talent laden, Georgia based A.O.T. in Nike EYBL Session III in Atlanta. Brown said it was an easy chemistry jump fitting in with Sharife Cooper, Brandon Suggs, Jared Jones, Isaac Okoro and others on the team.
“We clicked the first time we played together at Indi Hoops [Tip Off Classic] in Atlanta,” Brown said before turning to how A.O.T. did this past weekend. “We beat teams left and right and went 4-0 and just had fun doing it.”
Brown, who is at his best when he can attack in transition, was somewhat limited in the games in Atlanta with his A.O.T. teammates due to a nagging turf toe injury.
“I’m just trying to get back to where I was before being active, athletic and running up and down the floor,” said Brown. “Having turf toe I can’t do stuff like I want to do so I have to be smart about my decisions and my movements. I don’t want to damage the ligament, because my feet are my money makers. So I have to be smart and get rest so I can get over this. I’m just trying to get healthy and polish my game.”
With offers from South Carolina and Clemson we asked the Brown if he was feeling any pressure to stay in-state to attend college.
“No, not at all,” Brown said without hesitation. “It’s my decision. I’m the one that has to go to the school so I’m the one that has to make the decision.”
Where do things stand between the Gators and the five-star forward?
“It’s a beautiful campus, said Brown. “It’s Florida. I’ve been to Florida a few times with my uncle. I went to Florida when I was little with my uncle playing at USC when they played Florida at Florida. That was my first time being at Florida. Me going up there again [for the Kentucky game] I always been in love with the campus and the head coach was one of the first people who talked to me and everything grew off of that. I have a good relationship with Coach White and with one of the assistants, Coach [Jordan] Mincy and the other assistants too. We just hit it off and they came for a home visit. They’ve been recruiting me since freshman year.”
Now that he has trimmed his list and is focused on seven schools, what is next in the process for Christian?
“Just getting better,” said Brown. “Visiting schools, polishing my game, getting ready for the next level, improve my physicality and my skill set.”
As far as a decision timetable and whether he will sign in November’s early period or next Spring Brown is not too concerned about that right now.
“We don’t know yet,” he said. “It’s still up in the air. When the time comes the time comes.”
Will Florida get one of his five official visits?
“Yes sir.”
Stay with GatorsTerritory.com for updates on Christian Brown’s recruitment.