Phoenix College features big-time athletes
Here is a description that will turn heads of Division One recruiters: A 23-year-old former professional baseball player with the body of a Greek god. That is Phoenix College forward Ira Brown in a nutshell.
"He is a freak athlete," said head coach Matt Gordon. "He is explosive and has a great frame."
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Brown pitched in the minor leagues for the Royals and Mariners, but is now giving basketball a try at age 23. He was a second-team all-American last season and led Phoenix to the D2 national tournament in Danville, IL. Brown averaged 17.5 points, ten rebounds and two steals a game last season.
He has already visited Loyola-Chicago (September 8th and 9th) and has the attention of a number of mid-major programs across the country.
But Brown is not the only prospect on Gordon's roster this year. 6-foot-9 Vegas native Kaylone Riley already has a Division One offer as well. Eastern Washington is working on setting up a visit with the forward.
"He is long and athletic," Gordon said. "He has good footwork and he's a great shot blocker."
Fresno State and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi are also expressing interest. Riley averaged ten points, eight rebounds and four blocks a game at Mount Hood (OR) Community College last year.