ESPNU 100 SG Jabari Brown (Oakland, Calif./Oakland) has committed to coach Dana Altman and the Oregon Ducks. He becomes Altman's biggest West Coast recruit and his deadly shooting range is sure to light up the Pac-10. Brown, who chose the Ducks over Washington, Arizona State, Georgia Tech and UConn, is a strong and physical shooting guard who can score points in a hurry, when he gets hot.
"Coach Altman and staff did a great job recruiting me and making me feel comfortable," said Brown. "Plus, the new facilites are incredible."
Not only is the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder one of the best shooters in the 2011 class, but he runs the floor well and can finish in traffic on the break. Brown also has a solid mid-range game, especially with one- and two-dribble pull-ups. He has the shot-making ability of Kyle Korver, who thrived in Altman's offense at Creighton, so we expect big things from Brown at Oregon. Defensively, he can guard all three perimeter positions, is a good defensive rebounder and will be a good fit on Altman's multiple pressing defenses.
"As good of a player Jabari is, he is a better person," said Oakland coach Orlando Watkins. "He has a special ability to score the ball, but is unselfish to people involved and has an underrated all-around skill set because he if often just shooting from long range."
Brown is joining ESPNU 100 PG Bruce Barron (Carbondale, Ill./Brehm Prep) to make up the Ducks' backcourt of the future. Not only do these two escalate Oregon's recruiting class to No. 14 overall, but they form a 1-2 punch that will pay immediate dividends and help regain Oregon's basketball prominence.
"He is a mentally and physically tough player who will be a leader," said Brown's AAU coach Mark Olivier, who coaches the Drew Gooden Soldiers. "He will bring a winning attitude to the program."
Reggie Rankin was an assistant coach at seven schools for 13 seasons, most recently at Dayton. He played at Ohio University from 1986 to 1990 and was an All-MAC first-teamer in his senior season.