The St. Joe’s men’s basketball team has seen redshirt sophomore forward Charlie Brown Jr. return to form after a wrist fracture forced him to miss the entirety of last season. Through the first six games of this season, Brown has led the team in points as well as field goal and three point percentages. He is also tied for 10th in the country in scoring and is 19th in three-point field-goal percentage.
This immediate success after losing an entire season was a surprise to Brown.
“I didn’t really know what to expect,” Brown said. “When I got back on the court, I just knew I was going to try my best and do my best. I’m happy with where I am now and there is more work to be done.”
Brown believed that his success can’t be attributed to anything he has changed on the court.
“I think it is the mental aspect of the game,” Brown said. “[Head Coach Phil Martelli] is always talking to me about making the right decisions. I should always be thinking ahead to the next play. It is always a mental game.”
Brown’s decision-making is one of the reasons he has excelled this season, sophomore forward Taylor Funk said.
“He is amazing,” Funk said. “He is an NBA player. The best part about him is he won’t take a bad shot. He only takes shots he is capable of making and will pass up a good shot for a great shot. That is what I think makes someone a great player.”
Funk has seen the difference in the Hawks’ offense since Brown’s return to the floor as a playmaker.
“It takes the stress off of the other scorers because he can create his own shot,” Funk said. “He is long, lanky, very athletic. He really is the whole package.”
Freshman guard Jared Bynum said that he feels Brown’s game is a mix of multiple NBA talents.
“He has the scoring ability of a lot of the guys in the NBA,” Bynum said. “I think he is a mix of a couple players. He has the mid-range game of DeMar DeRozan. His catch-and-shoot is amazing, I can’t really pick one guy that he plays like.”
Brown has a more direct answer for who he models his game after.
“Right now, Jayson Tatum,” Brown said. “I watch his college highlights. I really focus on how he gets his spots, how he shoots the ball so efficiently and the different moves he uses.”
After winning Atlantic 10 Player of the Week, Brown said he needs to work past being in the spotlight.
“I know that there are going to be eyes on me,” Brown said. “My teammates are going to lean on me and I am going to lean on my teammates and coaches to do the right things.”
Brown’s scorching first couple of weeks in the season has Twitter pundits wondering about his NBA draft stock. All Brown wants to do is block out that noise and continue helping the Hawks win.
“I am just focused on this season and this season only,” Brown said. “I am just letting God take care of the rest.”
