Murray State University Athletics
Racers Sign 6-7 Forward Kelvin Brown
5/6/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Kelvin Brown, a versatile forward from Fort Scott (Kansas) Community College, has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Murray State, Racer head basketball coach Mick Cronin announced today.
Brown, a 6-7, 220-pound forward from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., is Cronin's first signee since he was hired at MSU on April 5.
"He fits into our style of play because he's a great rebounder who can run and press, but he also can score," Cronin said of Brown, who will be a junior at MSU next season. "He's a very versatile forward who can score inside as well as outside."
Cronin called the signing of Brown a big step for the program and a key addition to a team which needs help in the frontcourt because of the loss of All-Ohio Valley Conference center James Singleton, a senior on last year's 17-12 Racer squad.
"He's a guy who can help ease the loss of James Singleton because he's been at South Florida and in the Jayhawk Conference, which is one of the best junior college leagues in the country," Cronin said. "He's the kind of guy who can be an impact player in our league."
Brown, a native of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., originally signed with the University of South Florida out of high school, but left the Conference USA school after his freshman year. He then became the main cog in a rebuilding effort at Fort Scott Community College, according to head coach Brette Tanner.
"He's a special player because of one thing: he brings it everyday," said Tanner. "In practice, games, whatever, he comes to play, and everywhere he's played he's brought a winning attitude."
Last season, Brown averaged 22.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, both team highs during Fort Scott's 15-15 campaign. In addition to shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 70 percent from the free throw line, Brown scored over 30 points 11 times.
"He's one of those kids who can score in a lot of different ways," said Tanner, noting Brown shot 33 percent from three-point range. "He can score with his back to the basket or he can take his man off the dribble. Defensively, he's really good about getting after it and guarding the ball."
Brown was an All-Jayhawk Conference selection last season after leading the league in scoring, and was also an All-Region 6 pick. He was nominated for All-American honors but was not chosen. "He should have been an all-American because he was one of the best players in the country," explained Tanner.
In high school, Brown led Ft. Lauderdale's Dillard High School to Florida 6A state championships as a junior and senior, earning all-state honors both seasons.
