By ADAM ZAGORIA
Jordan Brown was on his lunch break and visiting Squeeze Inn Hamburger’s in Napa, Calif., last Tuesday when the McDonald’s All-American selections came out.
When the 6-foot-10 power forward from Prolific Prep (CA) saw his name appear on the screen in the restaurant, he celebrated with a couple of his buddies — and the folks in the restaurant.
“I go to that place a lot and it was great just having them celebrate with me, too,” Brown said by phone.
Brown is one of 24 McDonald’s All-Americans who will play in the March 28 game in Atlanta.
“[I felt] just excitement, really,” he said. “The two guys that were with me on my team just kind of erupted with me.”
Brown is one of several uncommitted McDonald’s All-Americans and is still considering seven schools: UCLA, St. John’s, Nevada, Gonzaga, Cal, Oregon and Louisiana-Lafayette.
“Kind of the same, I’m still considering the same seven schools,” he said. “I’m just trying to figure out where I’m trying to go right now.”
According to 247Sports, Brown is ranked as the No. 6 overall player in the Class of 2018
He broke down each school:
UCLA: “Well, they just committed Moses [Brown] and I haven’t talked to them about that yet. Really their message is just that I’d fit perfectly in their system at the four spot. Someone that can expand the defense and just really space out the floor for them.”
How would he play alongside 7-foot-2 Brown?
“I feel like we’d really complement each other because I’m not sure exactly how far out he can extend his game but as far as working in the post and a high/low,” he said, “I feel like we can be a good complement for each other.”
St. John’s: “They’ve still been in contact. Kind of like the same thing really, me coming in and I would be an impact big for them. That’s what they’re looking for right now.” He added of his visit: “When I went up there on a visit, I got to check out Madison Square Garden and just seeing the arena you can just feel that environment just by seeing the arena.”
Nevada: “They basically hit me up every day. [I could] really be like the headline of Nevada. They don’t have a professional team so they’re saying Nevada really is the professional team for them.”
Gonzaga: “They’re known for really developing bigs so that’s really their go to for me, just helping me develop my game.”
Cal: “They were one of the first schools to get in the mix with me. It’s kind of like a loyalty thing, like they’ve been there since the start.”
Oregon: “I’m kind of in and out with Oregon. Just being able to play alongside the guys that they really have. And they’re always running.”
Louisiana-Lafayette: “Really just carrying out my dad’s legacy because he went there and he’s part of the Hall of Fame now. So I could just carry on that legacy.”
Brown hopes to decide “around” the time of the McDonald’s Game.
“Not really sure,” he said.
Wherever he goes, he can “bring an all-around skill set. Pass the ball, score the ball, rebound, play hard.”
Said Prolific Prep coach Billy McKnight: “When you first watch Jordan play, what pops out at you is his ability to run the floor and his footwork in the low post. He’s really smooth on the block. What I’ve been most impressed with and where he’ll distinguish himself in college is his ability to step out and pass the ball and be a facilitator. He can throw the high-low. He can hit backdoor cutters. And his face up game is improving. We’ve been focusing on the decision making and skill set to where you can run your offense through him from the perimeter as well so the inside/outside balance is there.”
