Brown looks to improve game at Dyersburg State

CLARKTON, Mo. -- In his search for a place to continue his basketball career, Justin Brown got a feeling when he went to Dyersburg State.

"I went to all the other colleges and they told me when I went to look for a college, I'd get this feeling that I would like it," Brown said. "I went to all these other colleges and I couldn't find a feeling until I went to Dyersburg."

Brown signed a national letter of intent to play at Dyersburg Thursday afternoon, choosing the west Tennessee junior college over other jucos like Shawnee, Lyon, Coffeyville and Forest Park, and four-year schools Hannibal-LaGrange and Maryville.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for Justin," Clarkton coach Scotty Blackburn said. "Justin's (still) a young man -- he's only 17, so he's got some time to grow. So for coach (Alan) Barnett and Dyersburg State to give him a chance, we're grateful for that."

Brown was a member of Clarkton's senior trio this winter along with Dustin Ferguson and Casey Redden, averaging 17.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and four assists per night as he helped the Reindeer win their first district title since 2003.

He also earned all-conference honors in the Tri-County and was a member of the Daily Dunklin Democrat Dandy Dozen team.

"That was one of the things where his game grew from last year to this year," said Blackburn. "We could count on 14 to 25 points a night."

Brown also developed a reputation as one of the Bootheel's best athletes on the court, making a name for throwing down several high-flying dunks while also being a dangerous 3-point shooter.

"I really like athletes," Barnett said. "You don't see many guards his size who can put both elbows in and dunk it. But he can also go out and shoot the 3, plus he can go out and direct traffic as a combo guard."

All parties seem to agree that Brown's best basketball may still be ahead of him.

"I think Justin can come in and he can go to the top ..." said Barnett. "He can do a lot of things so that opens the door for him."

Brown intends to improve himself at Dyersburg State.

"I plan to work on my game, become a better shooter and hit the weight room very hard," Brown said. "I have to get better at ballhandling."

Judging by his improvement his final year at Clarkton, Brown should do well at the next level.

"Justin's extremely coachable," said Blackburn. "Anything you need him to do, he do it. .. Just wherever you needed him, he was there."