As Kentucky continues its search for frontcourt help for next season, the final class of 2020 recruit with a scholarship offer from the Wildcats has made his college decision.
Five-star forward Greg Brown III _ a 6-foot-9 prospect from Austin, Texas _ committed to the hometown Longhorns on Friday afternoon, choosing Texas over fellow finalists Kentucky, Auburn, Memphis and Michigan, as well as an offer to play in the G League next season.
Brown's pick wasn't much of a surprise. Texas coach Shaka Smart has made him a recruiting priority for years, and his father _ Greg Brown Jr. _ was a standout football player for the Longhorns before playing professionally. Brown Jr. told the Herald-Leader earlier this year that the family had formed a strong bond with Smart, who will be coming back for his sixth season at Texas following rampant speculation about his job security over the past several months.
Kentucky hosted Brown _ the No. 9 overall player in the 2020 class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings _ for an official visit in January, but the Wildcats were never seen as favorites at any stage in his recruitment.
UK has already signed two 6-9 power forwards _ Isaiah Jackson and Lance Ware _ for next season. Jackson and Ware are ranked No. 28 and No. 31, respectively, in the 247Sports composite. UK is still looking for at least one more frontcourt player for the 2020-21 roster.
The G League was likely Texas' biggest competition for Brown's commitment in the final days of his recruitment. Last week, five-star recruits Jalen Green and Isaiah Todd confirmed they would be taking the new professional path offered by the NBA's developmental league, which will offer salaries, the possibility for endorsements, and a highly organized training regimen _ including games against G League teams and international squads _ as these selected recruits prepare for the 2021 NBA draft.
Brown was another player who had been targeted by the G League to take part in the new program.
Among the other colleges on his list, Memphis is probably the one hurting most as a result of Brown's decision. The Tigers were seen as possible favorites for his commitment _ especially when it appeared that Smart would not be retained at Texas _ and coach Penny Hardaway's program has failed to recapture its recruiting magic from last year, when Memphis had the nation's No. 1 class. As of Friday, the Tigers have just one high school commitment for next season _ three-star forward Ahmad Rand _ in addition to high-profile transfer Landers Nolley.
It was the second consecutive Friday of bad news for Memphis, which would have been the landing spot for Green _ the No. 3 player in the class _ had he not chosen the G League path.
Brown's commitment to Texas leaves Makur Maker _ the No. 12 recruit in the country _ as the only uncommitted player in the top 50 of the 247Sports composite rankings for 2020. Maker is widely expected to skip college and pursue professional options next season.
