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Kendall Brown (basketball)

Kendall Thomas Brown (born May 11, 2003) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Baylor Bears. He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the best small forwards in the 2021 class.

High school career

As a sophomore at East Ridge High School in Woodbury, Minnesota, Brown averaged 17.6 points and led the team to its first state tournament appearance. After the season, he transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas.[1] Brown was teammates with top recruit Kennedy Chandler. As a senior, he helped his team reach the GEICO Nationals title game.[2] He was named to the McDonald's All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit rosters.[3][4]

Recruiting

Brown was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the best small forwards in the 2021 class. On July 20, 2020, he committed to playing college basketball for Baylor over offers from Kansas and Arizona, among others.[5] Brown is the highest-ranked recruit to come to Baylor since Isaiah Austin in 2012.[6] He said that since he came from a Christian high school, he liked the fact that Baylor was a Christian university.[7]

College career

Prior to his freshman season, Brown was voted Preseason Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year.[8] In his college debut, Brown scored 13 points in a 87–60 victory over Incarnate Word. He earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors twice (December 20 and March 7).[9] As a freshman, Brown averaged 9.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. At the end of the season, he was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team.[10] On March 30, 2022, Brown declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.[11]

Professional career

Indiana Pacers (2022–2024)

Brown was selected with the 48th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft by his hometown team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. On June 23, 2022, the Timberwolves traded his draft rights to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for cash considerations and a 2026 second-round pick.[12] On September 16, Brown signed a two-way contract with the Pacers.[13] On February 27, 2023, he underwent surgery to address a tibia stress fracture in his right leg and was ruled out indefinitely by the Pacers.[14]

On July 25, 2023, Brown signed another two-way contract with the Pacers[15] and on March 4, 2024, he signed a multi-year contract.[16] On October 15, 2024, he was waived.[17]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

College

Personal life

Brown's father, Courtney Sr., played professional basketball in South America, Switzerland and England, and was a member of the Harlem Globetrotters, before becoming a public school intervention specialist.[18] His older brother, Courtney Jr., plays college basketball for St. Thomas (MN).[19]

References

  1. ^ Paulsen, Jim (July 21, 2019). "Kendall Brown leaving East Ridge for prep school in Kansas". Star Tribune. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  2. ^ Eldridge, Taylor (April 3, 2021). "'The little engine that could': Sunrise proves it belongs with national hoops powers". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  3. ^ Fuller, Marcus (June 9, 2020). "Five-star homegrown hoops talent Kendall Brown on young athletes giving back: "We have to use the platform we have."". Star Tribune. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  4. ^ James, Ryan (May 5, 2020). "Kendall Brown had a 5-Star Season at Sunrise Christian". 247Sports. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  5. ^ Bedore, Gary (July 20, 2020). "Kendall Brown, No. 12-ranked player in Class of 2021, picks Baylor over KU, others". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  6. ^ Borzello, Jeff; Biancardi, Paul (July 20, 2020). "5-star player Brown of Kansas commits to Baylor". ESPN.com.
  7. ^ Jordan, Jason (July 20, 2020). "Elite 2021 Wing Kendall Brown Commits to Baylor". SI All-American.
  8. ^ "Big 12 Unveils 2021-22 Men's Basketball Preseason Awards". big12sports.com. October 13, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  9. ^ "MBB Pair Pick up Big 12 Weekly Awards". March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  10. ^ "Men's Basketball All-Big 12 Awards Announced" (PDF). March 6, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  11. ^ "Baylor guard Kendall Brown, potential first-round pick, declares for NBA Draft". theathletic.com. March 30, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  12. ^ Nardinger, Taylor (June 24, 2022). "Timberwolves Acquire Future Pick and Cash Considerations from Indiana". NBA.com. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  13. ^ "Pacers Announce Signings". NBA.com. September 16, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  14. ^ "Kendall Brown Medical Update - Feb. 27, 2023". NBA.com. February 27, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  15. ^ "Pacers Sign Kendall Brown to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  16. ^ "Indiana Pacers Sign Kendall Brown". NBA.com. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  17. ^ "Pacers Roster Transactions". NBA.com. October 15, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  18. ^ McDonald, Mitchell Palmer (August 24, 2016). "Sons following in their dad's footsteps". Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  19. ^ "Q&A: Ex-East Ridge wing Courtney Brown Jr. on transferring to St. Thomas". March 30, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.

External links