Elite 2019 small forward Christian Brown wowed at Big Blue Madness

In the days ahead the 2017 and 2018 basketball recruits who attended Big Blue Madness will command most of the attention.

But 2019 small forward Christian Brown was made to feel just as special as any other player in Rupp Arena on Friday night. Credit John Calipari for that.

"I was really impressed how Coach Cal took the time to meet with every recruit that was there," Brown told Cats Illustrated on Sunday evening.

That personal touch seems to have gone over especially well with one of the younger players in attendance.

It's not as though Brown's an under the radar recruit. He's just young. Rivals.com ranks Brown the No. 14 player in the sophomore class and he had a lights out summer with the Georgia Stars.

After the recent USA Basketball event Eric Bossi wrote,"One of the underclassmen who wasn't intimidated by the stronger 2017 guys is 2019's No. 14 ranked player Christian Brown. The 6-foot-6 wing backed up his five-star status in a big way. He hit some deep jumpers, defended with intensity and was a beast finishing around the hoop. He's one of those guys who brings up the intensity level of any game."

After Peach Jam, Bossi wrote, "The 6-foot-6 small forward plays the game with incredible energy and is a big-time athlete who changes things in transition. He had one of the best dunks of the summer when he weaved in and out of traffic on a full court drive that ended in a posterization of a few Team United defenders. Many others are sure to join Clemson and Western Kentucky in offering Gary while Brown already has scholarships from Tennessee, Georgia, Wake Forest, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State, Florida State and Clemson."

And in summing up Brown's summer, and in listing Brown to the All-Summer Team from the 2019 class, Bossi wrote, "One of the most explosive two-way players in the class, the 6-foot-6 Brown was at his best in transition. Playing with the Georgia Stars, he was almost impossible to keep from getting to the rim and he’s got the ability to be just as tough on the defensive end."

Fast-forward to this past weekend and it's easy to see why Calipari and his staff were happy to host Brown on an unofficial visit.

"It was exciting and the environment was very energetic! I loved how approachable Coach Cal was when we meet," Brown said in a message to Cats Illustrated. "I talked to some of the other coaches. The advice he gave was priceless ... Really opened my eyes about my future!"

And what was that advice?

"Different approaches to a successful future which include learning about business management and investments," Brown said.

Brown traveled to Lexington with Chris Williams, who coaches the Georgia Stars.

The coaches made Brown feel right at home and the fans did a good job of that, too.

"They are crazy," he said with a laugh. "The fans are always hype and will always rep BBN."

Following that visit Brown said that his interest in Kentucky is high.