The Hokie staff has been busy handing out offers for the class of 2016 this summer and the latest goes to shooting guard Bruce Brown.
The 6'3", 185-pounder from Vermont Academy in Saxton's River, VT is listed as the 50th best player and ninth best shooting guard in the 2016 class according to 247Sports, while ESPN rates him the 30th overall talent and a five-star recruit.
Virginia Tech also offered Vermont Academy's Bruce Brown today, per his coach.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) July 18, 2014
'16 Bruce Brown listed Michigan, Xavier, Miami & VCU as coming the hardest, Arizona, Maryland and others in mix. More:http://t.co/cEq6axMuS3
— HoopsIntel (@HoopsIntelSW) July 19, 2014
Tech has some ground to make up here but there's plenty of time to curry favor with the rising junior.
Brown may be the most talented player I've looked at among the recent offers and he already boasts a fairly polished game. He shoots with confidence from all over the court, has a great handle of the basketball and shows tremendous athleticism at both ends of the court. He routinely blocks shots on defense and finishes above the rim on offense.
His profile will only continue to increase if he keeps putting on strong showings like the one he just had at the Peach Jam in Augusta, Georgia—easily the most delicious name of the EYBL events.
Brown helped his Boston Area Basketball Club take down Boo Williams among others at the Peach Jam. He's shown he can score in bunches against top flight competition and the buzz surrounding his recruitment is palpable.
G Bruce Brown (@BruceBrown11): 20 PTS, 6 REB for BABC in a win over Boo Williams @thebabc http://t.co/CP4BlIk7MP
— The EYBL Circuit (@D1Circuit) July 18, 2014
He's a Boston area native, but I don't think that necessarily gives the New England schools like Boston College or Providence any particular advantage in his recruitment. He appears destined to be the kind of high major recruit that can go anywhere he likes.
Tech continues to plan for the future and a big physical guard with tremendous athleticism like Brown clearly fits the mold of a Buzz Williams player. The new staff is aiming high with all targets which is certainly a good sign for the program. Now, they just have to reel a few in.