Recruiting Update: Jalen Brown (2019 Jefferson/Hoop Salem)
Making a switch in the middle of AAU ball has its risks. But Jalen Brown took the leap, suiting up for Hoop Salem in July – and it’s a move appears to have paid off. The 6-foot-3 guard from Jefferson High School made an impression with his athleticism and shooting ability with his new team and is now on the verge of getting his first four-year scholarship offer.
Brown played in the spring with Nike Team Northwest and things went fairly well. But the rising senior felt a switch was needed so after a couple of other options didn’t work out, he landed with Hoop Salem. There playing alongside the squad’s other talented guards, he felt like he was able to show college coaches his game. “My playmaking ability and athleticism above the rim,” he noted.
The move paid off. After the Premier Summer Championships in Salem, Brown received his very first offer from Lane CC. And now after playing in Las Vegas, his first four-year scholarship offer appears to be near from Metro State in Denver, who had started watching him in April.
“The coaching staff there is really nice and I talk to them all the time,” Brown said. “Everyone has been telling me they are a very high Division II program and it’s definitely one of the options I would consider if it is one of my options when I decide to commit somewhere.”
While Metro State is among the leaders, Brown noted that he’s also hearing from Portland a lot, Portland State, and Idaho. To that end, he continues to work hard – he recently competed at SEI Camp in Portland – with the hopes of more options emerging as coaches make an effort to evaluate him some more.
“They want to see me play more so they’ll be at my games this fall and winter,” Brown said. “So I’ve just been trying to get better everyday so I can be ready for the opportunity.”
A very athletic guard, Brown has the explosiveness to finish at the rim but also a smooth shooting touch from beyond the arc. He is currently ranked as the #15 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2019 rankings.