UConn parts ways with Zach Brown

[krinklecut]

This clown was an embarrassment to even consider a recruit. Ollie has really lowered the bar with this one. Everything in this kid's history screamed, "stay away". I expect to see him at Kentucky, Louisville, or one of those Florida basketball factories.

Cool, blaming a kid for his background. You're an awesome dude. He had his flaws but all things considered he seemed like a really good kid.

 

[EastCoast2]

This clown was an embarrassment to even consider a recruit. Ollie has really lowered the bar with this one. Everything in this kid's history screamed, "stay away". I expect to see him at Kentucky, Louisville, or one of those Florida basketball factories.

Lowered the bar to get a top 20 player. Okay.

 

[tcf15]

How did Zach Brown hurt you? And how did Ollie "lower the bar" with a player that was never signed, enrolled or suited up for UConn?

Looks like he just has an issue with KO. Only two posts on the men's board, and the other one is this:

"If Calhoun was still coaching, Dan Hurley would be picking splinters out of his back side for a very long time."

 

[JSM1970]

We lose a top 30 kid and that is no big deal here but signing a kid who's barely top 250 is a huge get?

 

[tcf15]

We lose a top 30 kid and that is no big deal here but signing a kid who's barely top 250 is a huge get?

Context is important. But you keep doing you man.

 

[superjohn]

We lose a top 30 kid and that is no big deal here but signing a kid who's barely top 250 is a huge get?

It's not a big deal, we backed off Brown because he has to figure some things out. We are involved with other top big men and will get someone good. You're way too hung up on ranking, Vital will be a good player for us.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

Wow, I'm amazed that most of you saw this coming. You guys did a good job hiding that knowledge when he left Putnam Science, as it seemed like everyone thought that him leaving Putnam had zero effect on his stance with UConn.

Am I the only one surprised by this?

 

[Huskies4ever]

Vital will be a good player for us.

He also serves a need.

 

[Stainmaster]

We lose a top 30 kid and that is no big deal here but signing a kid who's barely top 250 is a huge get?

Did you want Mike Noyes occupying the minutes Vital will now have? Didn't think so.

 

[tcf15]

Wow, I'm amazed that most of you saw this coming. You guys did a good job hiding that knowledge when he left Putnam Science, as it seemed like everyone thought that him leaving Putnam had zero effect on his stance with UConn.

Am I the only one surprised by this?

I thought there was a chance, but it only became more apparent during the April live periods when KO and the other UConn staff skipped out on Brown's games and watched other prospects instead.

 

[Hungryhusky99]

We lose a top 30 kid and that is no big deal here but signing a kid who's barely top 250 is a huge get?

He won't be ranked top 30 much longer. Kid is just a big body with very little skill.

 

[Leebo]

Wow, I'm amazed that most of you saw this coming. You guys did a good job hiding that knowledge when he left Putnam Science, as it seemed like everyone thought that him leaving Putnam had zero effect on his stance with UConn.

Am I the only one surprised by this?

This has come up in various recruiting threads. Maybe you just aren't delving into all of them?

 

[krinklecut]

Wow, I'm amazed that most of you saw this coming. You guys did a good job hiding that knowledge when he left Putnam Science, as it seemed like everyone thought that him leaving Putnam had zero effect on his stance with UConn.

Am I the only one surprised by this?

We must have different memories, because I remember a lot of people around here thinking that meant he was likely done at UConn.

 

[sledog]

So what were his 'issues'. Not ever day a top 30 bails, or whatever really happened.

 

[scotty0330]

Not everyone wants to throw a kid under the bus either....but my memory is same is krinklecut...don't know anyone who felt good about him showing up on campus after being suspended twice at two different schools in what was close to a month's time.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

This has come up in various recruiting threads. Maybe you just aren't delving into all of them?

We must have different memories, because I remember a lot of people around here thinking that meant he was likely done at UConn.

Perhaps I'm mistaken. I just don't recall anyone saying that they wouldn't be surprised if Brown left. Then again, it sounds more like UConn decommitted from Brown, rather than vice versa. On top of that, I remember someone from Brown's circle saying that Ollie was still committed to Brown even after the Putnam debacle. Either way, I'm sure we can find a suitable replacement.

 

[nomar]

UConn, Zach Brown part ways

...according to sources.

Zach Brown, Banned

Maybe that's too harsh. He can still get some ice cream.

 

[krinklecut]

So what were his 'issues'. Not ever day a top 30 bails, or whatever really happened.

He had a rough upbringing and had a lot of different people from very different walks of life talking in his ear. He seemed to be very conflicted in multiple ways, and was still (reasonably) attached to his upbringing, which was less than savory.

 

[nomar]

This clown was an embarrassment to even consider a recruit. Ollie has really lowered the bar with this one. Everything in this kid's history screamed, "stay away". I expect to see him at Kentucky, Louisville, or one of those Florida basketball factories.

Something's embarrassing here.

 

[Leebo]

Perhaps I'm mistaken. I just don't recall anyone saying that they wouldn't be surprised if Brown left. Then again, it sounds more like UConn decommitted from Brown, rather than vice versa. On top of that, I remember someone from Brown's circle saying that Ollie was still committed to Brown even after the Putnam debacle. Either way, I'm sure we can find a suitable replacement.

There was never anything released as an article or quote or anything. It was mostly just people inferring from KO's and the staff's behavior that we were less interested in him. Given his incidents people were speculating that we were backing off of him. That's all.

 

[KemBuckets21]

Wow, I'm amazed that most of you saw this coming. You guys did a good job hiding that knowledge when he left Putnam Science, as it seemed like everyone thought that him leaving Putnam had zero effect on his stance with UConn.

Am I the only one surprised by this?

Count me in as surprised. It's been a tumultuous few months for Brown, but I thought the reason he wanted to come to UCONN was for the "family atmosphere" and stability that is promoted and that he seemed to have been lacking in his own life. I don't see him at one of the one and done factories. Maybe he'll go to UF or Miami to be closer to his family.

 

[Blue Blood]

I'm real disappointed by this I was stoked to get a kid of his size I get circumstances weren't great but I was hopeful he'd turn it around I'll never get grown men bashing 17 year olds on this site

 

[Mike Honcho]

So what were his 'issues'. Not ever day a top 30 bails, or whatever really happened.

Prince Ali, Moe Harkless come to mind immediately.

 

[Worldwide]

Perhaps I'm mistaken. I just don't recall anyone saying that they wouldn't be surprised if Brown left. Then again, it sounds more like UConn decommitted from Brown, rather than vice versa. On top of that, I remember someone from Brown's circle saying that Ollie was still committed to Brown even after the Putnam debacle. Either way, I'm sure we can find a suitable replacement.

Kinda hard to say anything like that on this board as you risk getting flamed for negative comments. It's a catch 22. Say what you really feel and have BY go bonkers calling saying your not a real fan. Honestly, who didn't see this coming but posting it is just not worth the headache. Wish the board was actually a discussion board.

 

[Leebo]

Kinda hard to say anything like that on this board as you risk getting flamed for negative comments. It's a catch 22. Say what you really feel and have BY go bonkers calling saying your not a real fan. Honestly, who didn't see this coming but posting it is just not worth the headache. Wish the board was actually a discussion board.

You don't seem to be making a distinction between a simple discussion of the facts of what the staff is doing and discussions about what they should be doing. In the case of ZB, no one should have an issue with people merely discussing what the staff appears to be doing, and I didn't see anyone having an issue with it. If people felt that they wanted to talk about why the staff should or shouldn't have backed off of him, it can be done without hurtful speculation.

 

[dennismenace]

Kind of a disappointment but I agree that there was a growing uncertainty on this young man by the posts on this board.
We knew he had a troubled background. Big move from Fla to New England. Trouble in school etc. This shows instability
which of course is "normal" coming from a dysfunctional background. I think the rigors of playing basketball at the UConn
level requires pretty much "all you got" and it is going to be hard. You can only give a kid so much support. I have a feeling
that others have strongly suspected this and perhaps didn't want to post it all over the place while the kid was still a commit.
I really hope he gets the help perhaps that he needs and finds a place where he can grow and become stable. Sounds like KO
and staff were cooperative and, being a family, wished him the best in finding the family where he can shine. Looks like he
could have a bright future if he can get what he needs so he can find himself and give it all he has inside.

 

[nomar]

Kinda hard to say anything like that on this board as you risk getting flamed for negative comments. It's a catch 22. Say what you really feel and have BY go bonkers calling saying your not a real fan. Honestly, who didn't see this coming but posting it is just not worth the headache. Wish the board was actually a discussion board.

Huh? Plenty of people expressed their concern about ZB's recruitment and expressed skepticism that he would ever be a Husky. Nobody got flamed.

 

[huskyinfl]

Hope for the best for Z Brown. Might be better for him to be closer to home with a support network.

Running clean is important to me.

 

[BUConn10]

This development is disappointing, wish him well. Personally I never expected to see Brown in a UConn jersey after seeing the Vice doc on him, but we all know those types of sentiments can't be expressed on the Boneyard: the official UConn discussion board.

 

[James]

I was always concerned with his purported 'immaturity issues', like punching a ref or getting in a fight with teammates, not to mention his age for being a junior in hs ( 19?).