Jan 10, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Charlie Brown Jr. (16) reacts as he plays against the Houston Rockets in the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Philadelphia 76ers at Houston Rockets
(Las Vegas, Nevada) — Through three games of the NBA Summer League, there is no debate the New York Knicks’ best player has been an overlooked 26-year-old wing.
Meet Charlie Brown Jr.
“He can play multiple positions, he can handle the ball, he can rebound and he can push the ball,” Knicks summer league coach Dice Yoshimoto said. “Just his versatility, he can do different things. The way that he handles himself, he’s done great so far.”
On Wednesday night, the 6-foot-6 Brown netted 19 points, six rebounds, four blocks and two assists in 28 impactful minutes in the Knicks’ 82-80 overtime victory at Thomas & Mack Center.
In his trio of appearances, he’s averaging over 17 points per game on 50% shooting.
A free agent, Brown has tried not to think too much about his future and is focused on helping New York.
“I think first and foremost, my mindset is always team first,” said Brown, who starred for St. Joseph’s in college. “I feed off everybody’s energy. We’ve got great energy on this team. … I take this opportunity to get better, do what Dice asks me to do, and things are going to work out the way things are going to work out. I try to take advantage of every opportunity I can.”
After he was not drafted in 2019, Brown bounced around the league, appearing in 41 NBA games with the Hawks, Thunder, Mavericks and 76ers.
If the Knicks don’t end up signing Brown, he’s made a good enough impression for another team to do so.
