The best guard of the 2003-04 recruiting class has verbally committed to MSU.
“I think I made a choice my parents like, I like and even my little brother liked,” said Shannon Brown, of Proviso East High in Maywood, Ill. “I think I just made a good choice.”
The 6-foot-3 guard passed up offers from Duke, Kansas, Illinois and Louisville to play for the Spartans.
“It was definetly a hard decision, but I think I made the right decision,” Brown said.
Brown is MSU’s third verbal commitment, joining guard Brandon Cotton of Detroit St. Martin De Porres and center Drew Naymick of North Muskegon.
TheInsidersHoops.com Web site has Brown ranked the top shooting guard in the country.
“He’s a big-time two guard prospect,” Dave Telep of TheInsidersHoops.com said. “Probably the best two guard in the country. He’s basically a terrific prospect because of his athleticism and his ability to shoot the basketball. The kid’s a big-time player.”
If the verbal commitments hold up, the Spartans could boast one of the top incoming backcourts in the country in 2003 with Cotton and Brown. Cotton is ranked the third best prospect at his position on the Web site.
“It’s certainly a little bit early to say, but they certainly will have a chance to be the top incoming backcourt,” Telep said.
Chris Brown, Shannon’s father, said the deciding factor was MSU head coach Tom Izzo.
“Izzo has followed my son for the past two years,” Chris Brown said. “He showed his commitment and I think that’s why Shannon choose Michigan State.”
Romando J. Dixson
