— The Portal Report (@ThePortalReport) June 9, 2023
The 6-foot-11 center is somewhat late to the party, as it’s rare to see someone enter the portal during this stage of the off-season. Brown did this intentionally, however.
After seeing the kind of traction that players like Hunter Dickinson and Kel’el Ware received during their time in the portal, Brown knows that the price for a high-level collegiate big man is a steep one to pay. And considering his talents, it’s obvious as to why he decided to wait until June to make his intentions known.
Options in the portal, particularly at center, have been dwindling throughout both the spring and early-summer. And at this point, Brown is arguably the best big man available on the open market.
Though this approach shrinks his options in terms of potential destinations, it also simplifies the recruiting process for Brown. The graduate transfer is fully aware of who the center-needy teams are, and how far they may be willing to go to land him.
Memphis is Loaded Everywhere…Other than Center
As Memphis fans have continuously pointed out since March, the Tigers are one of those teams. Head coach Penny Hardaway and his staff have done a good job of reloading Memphis’ roster once again.
If Memphis can bring Williams back, it’ll instantly thrust itself back into national relevance.
Despite all the good news, though, the Tigers still haven’t landed a true game-changer at the 5. Because of this, Memphis looks to be a heavy candidate to pursue a player of Brown’s talents.
How Brown Would Fit with Memphis
After steadily improving throughout his collegiate career, Brown has been a true standout during his past two seasons at Louisiana. The former Ragin’ Cajun averaged 15.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 51.6% from the field in 2022. He improved upon those numbers in 2023, putting up 19.3 points and an identical 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 57.1% from the field.
Regardless of where Brown ends up, it’ll be nice to see him shine on a bigger stage during his final year of eligibility. In saying that, Memphis fans should definitely hope that stage is FedExForum.
If one made a list of attributes Memphis needs out of its starting center, Brown would check all the boxes.
Reliable and efficient scorer. Check.
Good interior defender. Check.
Has size and can rebound efficiently. Check.
I can go on if needed.
Now, does Memphis necessarily need Brown to make the NCAA Tournament in 2024? Probably not, especially if Williams is able to return.
Memphis made the tournament without a true center last year, and could likely find a way to do that again this year.
But at this point, the Tigers shouldn’t be happy with simply making the tournament. That’s never been what Memphis basketball is about. This is a program that strives to win conference titles and NCAA Tournament games. And fans aren’t content with anything less than that.
Brown is a player that would give Memphis a good chance at accomplishing those goals in 2024. This is especially true in the AAC, a league that features few big men that can realistically match up with Brown.
Simply put, a starting frontcourt of Williams and Brown would be one of the finest in the country. The production and experience those two bring to the table would outclass both the AAC and most of America.
And if Memphis can add both players to what it already has, the Tigers should the preseason favorite to win the American in 2024.
Can Memphis Land Brown?
Now, to be clear, it isn’t a guarantee that either of those players are at Memphis this season. Williams still needs his waiver to be cleared, and the NCAA is very unpredictable in these kinds of situations.
In Brown’s case, his recruitment is still wide-open. Any school can realistically enter the sweepstakes for him right now. There isn’t even an early favorite to land him.
The good news for Memphis on this front is that Brown and Hardaway aren’t unfamiliar with each other. The Tigers had significant interest in Brown when he was coming out of high school in 2018 before he ultimately chose Nevada. After spending one year there, he went to Arizona before transferring to Louisiana the following year after Sean Miller’s departure.
Either way, Hardaway and Brown do have a preexisting relationship. And that can certainly play a factor in this recruitment. It’s also undeniable that Memphis gives Brown a great opportunity to further expose his brand and be a significant contributor to a winning team in his final year of eligibility.
On paper, at least, Memphis and Brown seem to be a perfect match.
And if Brown wants to play for Hardaway in 2024, the Tigers should welcome him with open arms.
Senior Editor for Tiger Blueprint. See more of my work on Bluff City Media, where I’m the Memphis basketball beat writer, the Men in Hoodies podcast on Apple and Spotify and on “Sports with Roman Cleary” live on University of Memphis Radio—The ROAR Fridays from 3-4 p.m. during the fall and spring.
