New Mexico’s Elijah Brown Visits Oregon

Elijah Brown is a hot commodity in college basketball right now. After three years at New Mexico, the former Lobo has decided to graduate and then transfer for his senior season.

The son of former NBA head coach, Mike Brown, has Oregon in his Top 5, alongside Gonzaga, Iowa State, St. Mary’s and Northwestern. This past weekend, the 6-foot-4 guard officially visited Eugene.

Brown may be the best transfer prospect in college basketball. Landing a player with his experience, leadership and scoring ability, amid his senior season, would be a huge boost for Oregon’s evolving program.

Following a terrible travel delay in Denver, Brown finally made it to Eugene to visit with head coach Dana Altman, players, staff and even Snoop Dogg. Oregon doesn’t mess around.

After narrowing down his choices to five, the Ducks are making a serious play for the transfer.

Dylan Ennis was in a similar situation to Brown after transferring from Villanova in 2014-15. Had it not been for an unlikely injury in 2015-16 at Oregon State, Ennis would have graduated last season.

Chris Boucher and Kavell Bigby-Williams were both the Junior College Player of the Year that chose Altman and the Ducks as their final collegiate landing spot.

Brown would be the prototypical Altman signing. He averaged 18.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.1 APG and 1.3 SPG as a junior with the Lobos. During his sophomore campaign, the southpaw shooter amassed 21.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.1 APG and 1.1 SPG. He entered last season as the Mountain West Preseason Player of the Year.

Yet, he endured a tumultuous 3-year career with New Mexico’s head coach Craig Neal and that is why Brown is transferring. The ironic part is the university just fired Neal to start the month of April.

The rare position that Altman can offer Brown is to be the Dillon Brooks replacement. Aside from Gonzaga, no other team chasing Brown advanced as fas as Oregon. Yet, the Bulldogs are loaded with more competition for minutes on the floor.

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Currently, Oregon is mingling with the top talent in the world. As opposed to years past when someone like Casey Benson was a coveted choice, a player of his caliber may no longer garner Oregon’s attention. The Ducks are seeking the best talent now, get used to it. This is the A1 Air. Welcome to first class.

Jordan Bell’s decision could go a long way in finalizing Oregon’s top-notch recruiting class. The Ducks possess the No. 8 recruiting class for 2017, but that could all change with the addition of a talent like Brandon McCoy.

Brown could be waiting on the two big men to make their choices before he makes his decision. Sometimes patience pays. Let’s exhibit some more while we wait for them to decide.

Stay tuned to ATQ on Instagram @eugene_levys_eyebrows Twitter @TheQuackFiend