Baylor beat out the other two finalists: Minnesota and Kansas. Drew and his Minnesotan assistant, Jared Nuness, are on a roll recently in The Northstar State. In back-to-back recruiting seasons the Bears have now lured Brown, along with Park Center alum Dame Dainja, before him. Baylor has seemingly created a pipeline straight into the great hoops talent of the Twin Cities.

There aren’t any surprised Gophers fans wondering how we missed out on Kendall Brown. It has been extremely difficult to attract big time talent to the stay home lately.

Interest Can Only Go So Far…

Brown sounded interested when the Gophers were named in his final-three…

“That is my hometown school. It would be awesome to play in front of friends and family. They tell me that I could accomplish anything at home, and that I could be the face of the program.”

Kendall Brown via 247Sports

“[Minnesota] told me I would be like a big guard who could initiate the offense for them,” Brown said. “Just use my passing ability as an advantage and everything. [Pitino] has been recruiting me a lot recently … That means a lot being from here and the love they are showing me right now.”

Kendall Brown via Star Tribune

Let’s not forget the hometown kid Pitino does have staying home in 2021. Treyton Thompson is a stud and should be a big part of this program’s future. Nonetheless, Thompson seems to be the exception to the rule and this latest news stings for the Gophers. The Baylor Bears are clearly getting one heck of a kid in the fold for their 2021 class.

Big-time get for coach Drew, Twin Cities native Jared Nuness, and Baylor. This was the #Gophers loss I alluded to in last podcast late last week. The former East Ridge HS star is one of the best 2021 players in the country. https://t.co/5iNXgolaaW

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) July 20, 2020

Ameer Eldiamotti | Minnesota Sports Fan

Kendall Brown (@TheeKbrown) 2021 Sophomore from East Ridge

Highlights vs Park

2021 plays @D1Minnesota during the Spring/Summer

Offers from Minnesota, Texas, Nebraska, Creighton. This summer, much more coming.@PrepHoops @NorthstarHoops @mnbasketballhub pic.twitter.com/keKlGkvV41

Kendall Brown (@TheeKbrown) 2021 from @sunrisehoops Highlights 2019

Brown, top 20 2021 Nationally. Originally from East Ridge. Now at Sunrise Prep Academy@NorthstarHoops @PrepHoops @mnbasketballhub @TheAthleticMIN pic.twitter.com/zqV1pVNTee

— StreetHistory (Ryan S) (@streethistory) December 23, 2019

Over the course of a couple days last week on Instagram, I chatted with former East Ridge 2021 combo guard/wing Kendall Brown. Brown, like Gary Trent JR did in 2017 (along with a few other past Minnesota preps), has moved on from traditional high school basketball, instead opting for a Prep school out of state, Sunrise Christian Academy. He’s now a 5-star on most recruiting outlets.

For Trent, his ultimate goal was to get to the League, and the jump paid off. He went on to Duke for a year, and then got drafted by Portland (technically Sacramento and the traded to Portland), where he is currently averaging over 10 MPG. 

Back to Kendall Brown, who has secured 18 offers so far from schools like Minnesota, Kansas, Ohio State, Marquette, Texas, and others. The shift to Sunrise Christian and moving to EYBL team Mokan may open even bigger school options, like North Carolina, Duke and Kentucky.

It’s only a matter of time before one of those big schools to come calling. Brown has shown promise as ball handler and playmaker since he was a Freshman, and has ideal size for an NBA wing, at 6 foot 7 inches. His smooth jumper and explosive jump help blend all of that into a rising star.

Currently, Brown is #20 overall by 247 Sports and the ESPN Top 60. Rivals bumps him to #17 overall. He’s on the edge of national explosion like fellow Minnesota Prep Chet Holmgren.

Q: What led to you transferring out of state to go to Sunrise Christian?

A: To get ready for college. I felt like this would help the most to elevate my game.

Q: Has it been difficult adjusting?

A: At first culture wise, but nah, not really.

Q: Have you put on weight since getting to Sunrise?

A: 10 lbs.

Q: Following other Minnesotan basketball players you participated with Team USA, how was that experience?

A: Great experience everytime I go up there. I learn something new and I’m competing with the best everyday, so I’m just getting better.

Q: The rating sites have gotten you now as a 5 Star which is quite an honor, and your up to 17 offers, have you narrowed your list?

A: Up to 18 now with the Ohio State offer recently. And no, I’ma narrow it down in the summer.

Q: Oh my fault LOL. Congratulations for that offer. Anything you’re looking for from any school specifically that’ll help you pick one over another?

A: The relationship with the coaches and wherever I can get the best help to have the best chance to get to the league.

Q: While watching you I view you as more of point-type player, able to create. Is this where you think you play from, going forward, or more of a traditional wing?

A: Yeah, more of a combo guard cause I can handle the ball and create.

Q: This summer will we see you with D1MN?

A: Mokan (Is a EYBL program in Kansas)

Q: I’ll have to look for them. Appreciate you chatting with me. Will be following your path.

A: Yesuh thanks. 

Ryan Schmidt | Minnesota Sports Fan