ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico men’s basketball program and head coach Craig Neal have put the finishing touches on the 2014 recruiting class by securing a commitment from Butler transfer Elijah Brown. The 6-foot-4-inch guard will transfer to New Mexico after completing his freshman season with the Bulldogs. Brown appeared in 30 games for Butler while averaging 6.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists during the 2013-14 season. The guard will redshirt in 2014-15 after transferring.
“We are really looking forward to having Elijah join our program,” said head coach Craig Neal. “I’ve known Elijah since he was in the seventh grade. He’s played basketball in the AAU circuit with Cullen, and I have great respect for his family. His father, Mike Brown, is a tremendous coach who I got to know from our time in the NBA together. Elijah is a good shooter, which compliments his all-around guard play. He will help continue our program’s excellent tradition of guards.”
The Los Angeles native was the Bulldogs’ fourth-leading scorer last season while shooting a team-high 85.4 percent from the free throw line. His freshman campaign was highlighted by a career night against the Big East regular season champions, No. 11 Villanova. Brown tallied 19 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists and three steals against the Wildcats. He also recorded double-digit scoring games against No. 5 Oklahoma State, Xavier, Marquette, Seton Hall and Princeton.
Brown wrapped up the final two seasons of his prep career at Southern California powerhouse Mater Dei High School. He helped guide the Monarchs to a pair of state titles while being named to the Los Angeles Times All-Area Team as a senior. Brown averaged 17.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in his final season with the Monarchs, which garnered second team all-state honors.
He is the son of veteran NBA head coach Mike Brown and will be eligible for the 2015-16 season as a redshirt sophomore after sitting out next season due to NCAA transfer rules.
Brown is the final commit of UNM’s recruiting class that includes transfers Tim Jacobs, Jordan Goodman and J.J. N’Ganga. The recruiting class also includes commitments from prep standouts Xavier Adams, Joe Furstinger and Tohi Smith-Milner.
Matt Ensor
Assistant Director of Communications
The University of New Mexico Lobos
Men’s Basketball & Football (Secondary) Contact