Hawken senior guard Hugh Brown enters his final year of high school basketball with lofty goals, but he won’t have to spend any time worrying about where he’ll attend college.
The 5-foot-11 reigning Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division Player of the Year recently committed to continue his education and playing career at Lake Erie College.
“I always knew I was going to college,” Brown said. “My mom made sure I had that idea in my head growing up, but the idea of playing basketball at the next level has been a dream come true, to say the least. I’ve had this hunger since I’ve been in high school. I watch a ton of college basketball and seeing the time, effort and dedication those guys have on any level truly inspired me to put in the work and steadily improve my craft because the next level is no joke.”
Lake Erie coach Kyle Conley began recruiting Brown over a year ago.
The two have developed a solid relationship, a factor that weighed heavily on Brown’s decision.
“I gained quick relations with coach Conley after my showing at his elite camp for players seeking to play at the next level,” Brown said. “What made me pick the school was the quick chemistry I was able to build with the guys on the current roster while I was there and once I visited and was able to meet with coach Conley. To hear and understand his philosophy and what he prides himself and his team on, on and off the court, really hit me on a personal level.”
Brown considered several other college programs before settling on Lake Erie.
“I looked at numerous schools in and out of state but then I narrowed it down to Notre Dame and Lake Erie because those were the schools I felt reflected the most interest back upon me from the summer to leading into my senior year of high school,” he said. “Then my decision to Lake Erie was because of Coach Conley’s philosophy of how he wants his team to play. That really intrigued me because I felt I would fit right into his system.”
Brown is projected to play a combo-guard position in college.
“I like that because it allows me to be versatile,” he said. “I’ve worked on my range over the years to allow me to play the shooting guard position along with my handle, which will allow me to run the offense. The constant improvement of my (basketball) IQ will allow me to make plays for Coach Conley and the team.”
As a junior, Brown averaged 18 points, 5 assists and 3 steals per game.
He is a three-time all-conference and all-district selection and also participated in the Ohio Varsity Underclassmen Showcase last spring.
Brown and the Hawks hope to repeat as CVC champs this winter and he plans to do whatever he can to make that happen.
“I’m approaching my senior year the same way prior to my decision; to put my guys who I’m playing with currently in the best possible situation to win basketball games, whether that’s scoring, distributing, defending the best opposing player, etc., whatever it takes,” he said. “We have the ability to be really good and I’m making sure I end my senior year on a high note.”
