Kansas Jayhawks: Basketball Recruiting Index

Troy Brown – Las Vegas Prospects – Nike EYBL

#17 Overall, #6 Small Forward

So we’ve reached the second tier of prospects now, with Ayton and Young by themselves in the top tier. First up is versatile wing Troy Brown, who most Kansas fans are somewhat familiar with already.

Brown has had a very good summer on the AAU circuit, despite his team’s struggles, after a relatively disappointing 2015. The Prospects struggled mightily at Peach Jam, but Brown’s performances were strong.

What’s his game like?

The most important thing for a wing like Brown is that he show he can impact the game on both ends. When you struggle to shoot the ball like he does – and he really lacks a jumpshot – the rest of your game gets scrutinized even further.

Brown showed two major things he brings to the table – he rebounds as well as anyone in the country and he is a very, very gifted passer. Brown has a good frame for the small forward or shooting guard position in college, and he’s strong enough already to withstand the rigors of high major play. His Prospects team lacked size and at times were reliant on Brown to defend power players down low. He held his own and proved he can rebound with the best.

He also showed great vision and ballhandling ability as the lead guard, giving him a lot of versatility. For a system like the one Kansas employs, that kind of versatility is a must for minutes in the perimeter rotation. Being able to run the point or play the wing is essential to their fluid changing of roles from possession to possession.

Unfortunately, Brown’s shooting really holds back his potential. Not only does he not have the best mechanics (they aren’t broken, however), but he also looks to have mentally convinced himself he is unable to hit shots. He rarely appears to shoot with confidence. We’ve heard of a few high major schools that just aren’t sure how his play translates to the upper echelons of college hoops.

Rumor Central

Kansas watched him a lot this past week, so they’re still recruiting him. How much they actually want him or like him, though, still seems to be a hot debate. I’ve heard, repeatedly, that fit is something of an issue for the Kansas staff. They don’t necessarily see him as a point guard, but Coach Self wants wings that can shoot the ball.

I do think that if Kansas wants to turn the dial back up on his recruitment, they can probably get him. However, I just haven’t received much indication that they’re likely to do that.

Next: Chaundee Brown