SI All-American Greg Brown III Picks Texas

Brown heavily considered the G League professional pathway program.

Last week after two of the top players in the 2020 class announced that they were skipping college to suit up in the NBA G League for its professional pathway program, speculation ran rampant that Greg Brown III, an SI All-American first teamer, would complete the team’s big three. 

Instead, the allure of the NCAA’s March Madness was too much for Brown to pass up, picking Texas over the G League, Auburn, Michigan, Memphis and Kentucky.

RELATED: Watch Brown’s Highlight Video

“It was very tough,” Brown said of the decision. “At the end of the day I know I made the right decision and I feel good about it. I’m just relieved that it’s over.”

Brown, a 6-foot-8 do-it-all forward at Vandegrift (Austin), had one of the most storied careers in the state’s history, managing a double-double for the last four years.

In all, Brown has posted 3,007 points, 1,493 rebounds, 476 blocks, 188 assists and 134 steals.

This season he pumped in 26 points, 13 rebounds and 1.5 assists a game. 

RELATED: Brown makes SI All-American First Team

Brown is, arguably, the best finisher in high school basketball, but lost in his trademark poster dunks is Brown’s ability as a playmaker on both ends of the floor. His production reflects his true gifts and is precisely the reason the G League was so enticing to him.

“My dad talked to the G League for a long time,” Brown said. “It was a great option, but Texas was where I wanted to be.”

Ultimately, Brown said his bond with Texas coach Shaka Smart was what helped the Longhorns win out.

“We’ve been talking since I was in the eighth grade,” Brown said. “I used to go there all the time, and I got real familiar with the campus. It felt like I was part of the family.”

Brown is the lone commit in the Longhorns’ 2020 class.

“We’ll be really good,” Brown said. “We’re gonna be deep on the bench and our starting lineup’s gonna be even better.”