HPU’s John Brown named Big South Player of the Week

HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point University men’s basketball redshirt-senior forward John Brown has been named the Big South Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.

It marks the second time in four weeks the Julius Erving Award nominee has garnered the weekly accolade. In all, he’s received the award seven times in his career.

Brown averaged 26.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 assists while shooting 70 percent (21-30) from the floor in a 2-0 week for the Panthers. In Wednesday’s 90-72 win over Triad rival UNCG, Brown poured in a game-high 24 points (9-15 FG) and 11 rebounds to post his first double-double of the season and 14th of his career. The Jacksonville, Fla., native also made 6-of-8 free throw attempts, distributed a team-high three assists and registered two blocks and two steals in 29 minutes.

In Sunday’s 111-74 win over UVa-Wise, Brown was incredibly efficient, posting 28 points in just 22 minutes on the floor. He made 12-of-15 field goal attempts and grabbed five rebounds as well while tallying two steals and a block against the Cavaliers. With his first basket of the second half, Brown passed former HPU great Brett Speight (1993-97) and moved into fourth place on the HPU all-time scoring list (he now has 1,886 career points).

Brown is eighth in the nation in field goals made (78) and 25th in scoring (20.6 ppg) this season. The nation’s career leader in field goals made, Brown has posted at least 10 points in all 12 games this season and 20 in six contests. He leads the Panthers in points, rebounds (7.6 rpg), blocks (2.0 spg) and steals (1.4 spg) and ranks in the top-10 of the Big South in seven statistical categories.

Brown and the Panthers return to action on Wednesday (Dec. 16) when HPU travels to Raleigh for a marquee non-conference matchup with NC State. The 7 p.m. game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN3.