Meet Graham Brown
Michigan got its third commitment for the Class of 2002 when 6-9 power forward/center Graham Brown of Mio (Mich.) H.S. committed to the Wolverines in early July. Brown has just recently emerged as one of the top prep prospects in Michigan, and many U-M fans knew little about him at the time of his commitment.
"I think (U-M head coach) Tommy Amaker wanted him to commit before Nike," Brown's father, Richard, said later. After observing Brown at Nike, Prep Stars Recruiter's Handbook concluded that Amaker had the right idea. "After his performance at Nike, (Michigan) would have had a lot more competition for his services," reported Prep Stars' web site. "Michigan picked up a solid early commitment when they gobbled up Graham."
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"All along we knew that he was going to go to Michigan," the recruit's father said. Brown's AAU team, The Family, realized that in Brown, it had a player with a future in big-time college basketball. Vince Baldwin of the Michigan basketball magazine Prep Spotlight set out to bring Brown to schools' attention. According to his father, though, Graham had a one-track mind.
"Vince Baldwin told him when he started playing for The Family to give him his top five schools, and he would contact them," Richard Brown said. "So (Baldwin) said, 'What's your first school?', and (Graham) said 'Michigan.' And (Baldwin) said 'What's your number two school?', and (Graham) said 'Michigan.'"
"I've always wanted to go to Michigan," Brown (right) said, "because both of my brothers went there." However, Brown also found other things that appealed to him upon closer inspection.
"They've got a new coach coming in," Brown said, "and I think he's going to get them back winning."
Brown also mentioned the draw of continuing to play with his new teammate from The Family, Lester Abram of Pontiac. "Lester committed there," Brown said, "and I love playing with him."
This week's issue of The Wolverine magazine includes a feature story on Brown. For more information on him, pick up a copy, or call (800) 421-7751 to order one by mail.
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