Last week, Zach Brown announced his intention to attend UConn beginning in 2017. But he’ll be playing in Connecticut a lot sooner.
Brown, a 7-foot-1 center, is transferring from Miami High to Putnam Science Academy, where he will begin practicing right away, according to coach Tom Espinosa.
“He’ll get here [Tuesday] night,” Espinosa said. “He’s practicing right away, and as soon as he’s ready, he’ll start playing.”
Brown, considered a top-30 prospect, is a true high school junior, so the plan is for him to play at Putnam Science the rest of this season and next season, and graduate in spring 2017.
Brown and his legal guardian, Michael Lipman, visited UConn last week and attended the UConn-Tulane game on Jan. 19. The day before, they visited Putnam Science, where Mamadou Diarra, who has signed to play at UConn next season, is playing as a post grad. Hamidou Diallo, a guard and a UConn recruiting target, also plays for Putnam Science, which is about a half-hour drive from UConn.
“He and his guardian were looking for a prep school situation, and when he verbally committed to UConn, this made sense,” Espinosa said. “He’s doing great academically, so there should be no problem. He’s on pace. He’s a very nice kid, eager to pursue his career. He’s very mature, and he made this decision, He has lived his whole life in Miami but he decided that this would be the best situation for him.”
Brown averaged 18.4 points, 17 rebounds and nine blocks for Miami Beach High last season, and transferred to Miami High this season. Brown had 37 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocks in a game in December. He will face better competition and some older players at prep school.
He cannot sign a letter of intent with UConn until November, so this will give the Huskies’ coaches a chance to remain in touch with him between now and then. Putnam Science has home games Saturday and Sunday against Lee Academy.
Brown’s decision to transfer to Putnam Science was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Finkelstein.
Boatright To Play In Italy
Former UConn captain Ryan Boatright has signed to play pro basketball in Italy.
Boatright was undrafted and then played with the Nets throughout training camp. After that, he was with the Pistons’ D-League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive, until being waived late last week at his request. He will join Capo d’Orlando, based in Sicily, and rejoin former UConn teammate Alex Oriakhi.
According to the team’s website: “Betaland Capo d’Orlando announced that it has signed a contract until the end of the season with the American athlete Ryan Boatright, NCAA champion in 2014, until a week ago in the field in D-League with the satellite of the Detroit Pistons, the Grand Rapids Drive.”
Boatright’s new team, also known as Orlandina Basket, plays in the top division in Italy.
Oriakhi played on UConn’s 2011 championship team before transferring to Missouri. He and Boatright were teammates during the 2011-12 season.
