Last Sunday, I had a Q&A with Jordan Brown at Prolific Prep media day. Below is a transcription of that interview. I posted this on our forums at Cal Rivals, but figured you all would find this interesting as well.
Q: What are you looking forward to about playing at Prolific Prep and why did you make the decision to switch?
A: “I’m looking forward to playing against good competition because being able to play against good competition on a regular basis really helps your game develop and just staying in rhythm about playing against good competition so that’s one of the things that I’m really excited for.”
Q: Was it a challenge playing your first three years at a school where you only faced a handful of Division 1 prospects every year? Was it a challenge to be that much better than the rest of the competition?
A: “A little bit. Because some people have a mindset when they’re playing against lower competition they don’t try as hard. They can not try as hard but then still dominate the competition and so being able to play against top competition all the time you don’t have time to be like ‘Oh, I don’t really have to try that hard’ because everyone’s out to get you. So, you’re always playing against top level competition all the time.”
Q: How is Prolific Prep planning to use you? Are they planning on playing you more at the 4 or at the 5? What has been their pitch to you?
A: “More so at the 4 spot. Kinda helping me just being able to play my game, being able to post up and also play a little bit outside. Probably handle the ball and stuff like that.”
Q: On the recruiting front, what has Cal’s pitch been to you over the last few months with a new coaching staff and everything?
A: “It’s been kinda the same thing. The offense and defense changed up, it’s more fast paced and stuff like that. They just know because of how I’m always running the floor, my motor and how my motor is always going, they know that would fit well inside their offense. So, that’s one of the main things that they’re looking forward to.”
Q: Cal has also offered Amadou as well. How familiar are you with Amadou’s game and how well do you feel the two of you will play together at Napa and possibly Cal?
A: “I haven’t seen Amadou play too much, but I know he’s a big body and he’s versatile. I’m not sure how his outside game is because I haven’t seen him play too much, but I know a big body like him, that’s always been something that I’ve been looking to play with because it’s like a nice duo of the big body that can muscle up and the agile thinner guy that can run around and also be physical with people inside. So it’s a nice duo to have.”
Q: Cal has two spots available [for 2018], looking for both a 4 and a 5. How much of a factor would it be for you if they could pair you with a more traditional 5 versus a 4?
A: “It’s not too much of a factor, but it would be kinda nice because being able to not have to be like, playing high school and stuff like that, I mostly had to play the 5 because I was bigger than everyone and sometimes I would go up and even in AAU I would have to play against the biggest guy that they have, so sometimes when I was younger I had to be playing against like seniors. I’d be a sophomore and I’d be playing against seniors that are like 250 and just like big football player-like people. So, being able to have someone, like another football-like player that can handle that and me focus more so on someone like my size is something good to have.”
Q: Do you have a date set with Cal for an official visit yet? Do you know when that will happen or are you still in the process of ironing that out right now?
A: “Still in the process of ironing it out right now.”
Q: Do you have any idea of what other schools you’re going to visit? You’ve released your top seven, but do you know what other four schools might get an official visit in addition to Cal?
A: “I’m not sure which schools exactly so far, but we’re gonna be thinking about it.”
Q: We’ve talked about Cal’s pitch. What are some of the pitches that you are getting from other schools? Are they all giving you a similar pitch?
A: “It’s all kinda similar pitches, you know. A school like Gonzaga, they utilize their big men really [well]. That’s one of the pitches that they give me. Like St. John’s, they have like Mitch Richmond and Coach Mullin and they’re like NBA insiders, so they know what I need to work on to develop my game for the next level and stuff like that.”
Q: I noticed Louisiana-Lafayette made the list, your dad obviously played there. Just talk about your connection with that program and all that.
A: “So you know my dad played there and I know some people look at it and they’re like ‘Oh, Louisiana-Lafayette, why would they be one of the schools’, but my dad went there and my dad, he actually turned out to be a really good player and had a really good career, so it’s not impossible for stuff to happen from there.”
Q: Talking more about your dad, he was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs. Can you talk about what his influence on you has been? How much has it helped for you to have a dad that knows what it’s like to play collegiately and go on to the NBA?
A: “So, he was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs and then he ended up playing overseas. It’s been a big influence because being able to have that inside, someone who’s played the game at a high level, they know all the steps and the process of everything. Just being able to know all that and he’s able to let me know about all of it and prepare me for all of it. It’s just nice input to have.”
Q: Is there any school your dad is hoping you go to? How involved is he in terms of you making your final decision?
A: “He hasn’t put pressure on me for a school that he wants me to go to. He just kinda helps me plan everything out.”
Q: When you are looking at what school you want to go to, what are the key factors that you are looking for ultimately?
A: “A good team that could possibly make a run, but just overall, a school that can help me get to the next level and develop my game. I still want the family aspect and being able to bond with the players and the coaches and just being able to get along well with everyone.”
Q: Do you have any update on a timeline for when you’ll make a decision? I’m hearing December, maybe Spring, do you have any idea for when that might be?
A: “It’s probably gonna be between those two times. Yeah, just kinda feel it out and make sure I’m making the best possible decision.”
Q: Is there any fun fact about you that our subscribers might find interesting?
A: “I actually draw. Me and my brother growing up, we would draw for fun and my brother is actually really good. I’m trying to get like him, but yeah, I actually draw a little bit. It’s just something that me and my brother did growing up. We’d just draw cartoons and stuff that interests us. After some time we started getting kinda good at it.”
Q: What are you looking forward to about playing at Prolific Prep and why did you make the decision to switch?
A: “I’m looking forward to playing against good competition because being able to play against good competition on a regular basis really helps your game develop and just staying in rhythm about playing against good competition so that’s one of the things that I’m really excited for.”
Q: Was it a challenge playing your first three years at a school where you only faced a handful of Division 1 prospects every year? Was it a challenge to be that much better than the rest of the competition?
A: “A little bit. Because some people have a mindset when they’re playing against lower competition they don’t try as hard. They can not try as hard but then still dominate the competition and so being able to play against top competition all the time you don’t have time to be like ‘Oh, I don’t really have to try that hard’ because everyone’s out to get you. So, you’re always playing against top level competition all the time.”
Q: How is Prolific Prep planning to use you? Are they planning on playing you more at the 4 or at the 5? What has been their pitch to you?
A: “More so at the 4 spot. Kinda helping me just being able to play my game, being able to post up and also play a little bit outside. Probably handle the ball and stuff like that.”
Q: On the recruiting front, what has Cal’s pitch been to you over the last few months with a new coaching staff and everything?
A: “It’s been kinda the same thing. The offense and defense changed up, it’s more fast paced and stuff like that. They just know because of how I’m always running the floor, my motor and how my motor is always going, they know that would fit well inside their offense. So, that’s one of the main things that they’re looking forward to.”
Q: Cal has also offered Amadou as well. How familiar are you with Amadou’s game and how well do you feel the two of you will play together at Napa and possibly Cal?
A: “I haven’t seen Amadou play too much, but I know he’s a big body and he’s versatile. I’m not sure how his outside game is because I haven’t seen him play too much, but I know a big body like him, that’s always been something that I’ve been looking to play with because it’s like a nice duo of the big body that can muscle up and the agile thinner guy that can run around and also be physical with people inside. So it’s a nice duo to have.”
Q: Cal has two spots available [for 2018], looking for both a 4 and a 5. How much of a factor would it be for you if they could pair you with a more traditional 5 versus a 4?
A: “It’s not too much of a factor, but it would be kinda nice because being able to not have to be like, playing high school and stuff like that, I mostly had to play the 5 because I was bigger than everyone and sometimes I would go up and even in AAU I would have to play against the biggest guy that they have, so sometimes when I was younger I had to be playing against like seniors. I’d be a sophomore and I’d be playing against seniors that are like 250 and just like big football player-like people. So, being able to have someone, like another football-like player that can handle that and me focus more so on someone like my size is something good to have.”
Q: Do you have a date set with Cal for an official visit yet? Do you know when that will happen or are you still in the process of ironing that out right now?
A: “Still in the process of ironing it out right now.”
Q: Do you have any idea of what other schools you’re going to visit? You’ve released your top seven, but do you know what other four schools might get an official visit in addition to Cal?
A: “I’m not sure which schools exactly so far, but we’re gonna be thinking about it.”
Q: We’ve talked about Cal’s pitch. What are some of the pitches that you are getting from other schools? Are they all giving you a similar pitch?
A: “It’s all kinda similar pitches, you know. A school like Gonzaga, they utilize their big men really [well]. That’s one of the pitches that they give me. Like St. John’s, they have like Mitch Richmond and Coach Mullin and they’re like NBA insiders, so they know what I need to work on to develop my game for the next level and stuff like that.”
Q: I noticed Louisiana-Lafayette made the list, your dad obviously played there. Just talk about your connection with that program and all that.
A: “So you know my dad played there and I know some people look at it and they’re like ‘Oh, Louisiana-Lafayette, why would they be one of the schools’, but my dad went there and my dad, he actually turned out to be a really good player and had a really good career, so it’s not impossible for stuff to happen from there.”
Q: Talking more about your dad, he was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs. Can you talk about what his influence on you has been? How much has it helped for you to have a dad that knows what it’s like to play collegiately and go on to the NBA?
A: “So, he was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs and then he ended up playing overseas. It’s been a big influence because being able to have that inside, someone who’s played the game at a high level, they know all the steps and the process of everything. Just being able to know all that and he’s able to let me know about all of it and prepare me for all of it. It’s just nice input to have.”
Q: Is there any school your dad is hoping you go to? How involved is he in terms of you making your final decision?
A: “He hasn’t put pressure on me for a school that he wants me to go to. He just kinda helps me plan everything out.”
Q: When you are looking at what school you want to go to, what are the key factors that you are looking for ultimately?
A: “A good team that could possibly make a run, but just overall, a school that can help me get to the next level and develop my game. I still want the family aspect and being able to bond with the players and the coaches and just being able to get along well with everyone.”
Q: Do you have any update on a timeline for when you’ll make a decision? I’m hearing December, maybe Spring, do you have any idea for when that might be?
A: “It’s probably gonna be between those two times. Yeah, just kinda feel it out and make sure I’m making the best possible decision.”
Q: Is there any fun fact about you that our subscribers might find interesting?
A: “I actually draw. Me and my brother growing up, we would draw for fun and my brother is actually really good. I’m trying to get like him, but yeah, I actually draw a little bit. It’s just something that me and my brother did growing up. We’d just draw cartoons and stuff that interests us. After some time we started getting kinda good at it.”
