Conrad Buedel / Tahoe Onstage
Jordan Brown is headed to the Arizona desert.
The former five-star basketball recruit and Nevada player transferred to the University of Arizona on Friday, he announced on his twitter account.
“I want to begin by thanking the city of Reno for filling Lawlor every night and making it a great atmosphere for my first year of college. The love and support you showed us was something I’ll never forget … but with that being said, I would like to announce that I will be continuing my college career at the University of Arizona,” he said.
Brown entered the NCAA transfer portal after one season at Nevada — and four days after coach Eric Musselman left for Arkansas. Brown visited two other Divison-1 schools, Kentucky and Texas A&M, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.
The freshman forward/center from Roseville, California, averaged 3.0 points on 50.6 percent shooting, 2.1 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 10.1 minutes per game. He was the first McDonald’s All-American and five-star recruit in school history.
Brown started one game against San Jose State on Jan. 9, but fifth-year senior Trey Porter was the primary center in the starting lineup for the Pack last season.
Brown was still impactful off the bench throughout the year and showcased his five-star potential from time-to-time. He scored a season-high 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting against California Baptist on Nov. 19. Brown also was utilized as a plug-and-play big man, displaying a lot of energy on both ends of the floor.
Wolf Pack players and fans lobbied to keep Brown at Nevada.
Due to NCAA Transfer Rules, Brown will have to sit out 2019-20.
Brown’s departure to the Wildcats leaves Nevada without much size down low. At 6-foot-11, he was effective in pick-and-roll situations and in clogging the paint defensively.
There are nine players on the Wolf Pack’s roster. Guards Lindsey Drew, Jazz Johnson, Nisre Zouzoua, Jalen Harris and forward K.J. Hymes will return. Swingman Jalen Townsell is in the NCAA transfer portal. New head coach Steve Alford has recruited 6-9 power forward Zane Meeks from Brewster Academy in New Hampshire and Kane Milling, an 6-4 combo guard from Espoirsli Linoges, France. Forward Warren Washington, a transfer from Oregon State, must sit out a season.
— Isaiah Burrows
