Site Map | Archives

Home › Sports › LoboZone

Men's basketball: Stability helps lure prep star to Lobos

Coaches, summer camp bolstered decision to orally commit

By Iliana Limón
Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Elite recruit Will Brown's life is chaotic.

He has lived in California, Louisiana and Texas, citing family trouble for the many moves. He just moved to Florida with his mother and several siblings. In a few days, he will pack up again and head off to prep school in North Carolina.

Brown said he decided to orally commit to the University of New Mexico because the Lobos' coaches offer him a lot of stability he has never had before. He trusts new assistant coach Chris Walker, who mentored him while Brown was playing in Amateur Athletic Union tournaments with the T-Mac All-Stars.

"I really like New Mexico and know it's a great place for me to play basketball," Brown said. "I also know Coach Walker will take care of me. He will push me to be my best, he won't let me stray, and he'll help me become the man I want to be."

Brown, a 6-foot-9 forward, averaged 13 points per game his junior year at Lake Christian High in Duncanville, Texas.

He was a sought-after player who was considering Oklahoma, USC, Auburn and UTEP before deciding to join the Lobos. He credits Walker with helping him rate as a top 125 recruit in the 2008 class.

"All his players love him because he pushes us hard, but it's all to make us better players," Brown said. "I was no one when I first met him. I was getting recruited by Division II schools and maybe some Division I mid majors. He helped me develop into one of the strongest big men in the Dallas area, so I got recruited by the high-end Division I schools."

Brown got to know new UNM head coach Steve Alford during a Lobos basketball camp this summer.

"That camp also really helped me make my decision because I saw the rest of the coaches were good guys just like Coach Walker," Brown said. "I also got a chance to see the campus, and I really liked it. Everyone was very nice to me, and they all seem to love basketball like I do."

Brown said after choosing a college, he is focused on getting bigger and better before he finally dons a Lobo uniform.

He is leaving the hyper-competitive Dallas-Fort Worth area after flirting with a transfer to super successful Duncanville High. He will join T-Mac teammate Isaiah Rusher playing their senior seasons at Patterson School, a prep school in North Carolina.

"I had some tough choices to make about whether I should spend time with my family, which is all over the place and kind of needs me, or find somewhere to focus on basketball," he said. "I decided I needed to get away from all the distractions so I could focus on school and basketball in North Carolina. I want to be ready to help the Lobos."