Welcome to A10 Talk’s Preseason Top 25 Player Countdown for the 2017-18 season. Each day, we’ll be publishing a new article, counting down our best 25 players for the coming season. Today, we feature #14 Charlie Brown of Saint Joseph’s.
Our Top 25 Player Countdown is a compiled list based on voting from our staff and writers from across the league. Thanks to the following for helping configure this year’s Top 25 Atlantic 10 Player Countdown:
Grant Labedz (@GrantLabedz), Mat Shelton-Eide (@MatSheltonEide), Grant Kelly (@GrantKelly07), Andrew Phung (@LoveRI401), By George (@ByGeorgeGMU), Davidson Recruiting (@DavidsonMBBRecr), Steve DiMiceli (@SteveDiMiceli), Rhody Rampage (@RhodyRampage), UMass Recruiting (@UMassRecruiting), Bona Blog (@BonaBlog), Petey Buckets (@PeteyBuckets), and UMass Ball Report (@theumbr).
What He’s Done
Charlie Brown’s emergence was one huge bright spot on a disappointing and injury-riddled season for Saint Joseph’s. After Lamar Kimble and Shavar Newkirk suffered season ending injuries, Brown stepped up and proved he was one of the best young talents in the conference. He averaged 12.8 points and 5.0 rebounds during his first season. Additionally, he managed to knock down 71 threes in his freshman campaign. Brown put up 25 double digit point performances for the Hawks, and scored a season high 22 points in a 2OT loss to Fordham. Additionally, Brown posted a block percentage of 3.1% in conference play, which ranked 17th. Brown was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team for his performance during his first season on Hawk Hill.
What He’ll Do
Brown will have more help this season with the return of Kimble and Newkirk. Many expect that the Hawks to be one of the top team’s in the conference. With those two talented guards around him, and James Demery back as well, Saint Joseph’s is loaded with talent. He is coming in bigger and stronger, and has even drawn comparisons to former Hawks star DeAndre Bembry. Phil Martelli found a hidden gem in Brown, and this season is his time to really prove that. Brown has shown that he has all the tools necessary to be successful, and exactly how good Saint Joseph’s can be this season will depend on what kind of impact Brown will make.
Previously: #15 Pookie Powell
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