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From Vermont Academy to the NBA
The Detroit Pistons Select Bruce Brown '16 in the 2018 NBA Draft
Last Thursday night in Brooklyn, Bruce Brown '16 was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2018 NBA Draft. It was Detroit's first pick, and widely considered a steal for the Pistons given their position in the draft. ESPN Draft and college basketball analyst Jay Bilas described the Vermont Academy graduate as someone poised for a successful career in the NBA. "Bruce is a very good defender and an excellent guard-rebounder who has a very good passing feel. He's versatile, he is physical, and he is very strong with a good basketball IQ. He's tough and competitive," noted Bilas.
Vermont Academy Basketball has emerged as one of the most prominent prep school programs in the country, and Bruce Brown deserves much of the credit for this meteoric rise. In Brown's time at the grassroots level, he was twice named All-NEPSAC 1st Team, and he earned Jordan Brand All-American honors. He qualified for the prestigious Nike Peach Jam three times, and at the height of his prep school career, he led the VA Wildcats to a NEPSAC Championship in 2016.
Brown spent three years at Vermont Academy, and his impact continues to permeate the program. VA Head Coach Alex Popp is especially grateful for the 6'5" combo guard, and he shared his respect for the rising star with Wildcat Nation on Thursday night while supporting Brown at the Draft.
"I started coaching Bruce in the fall of 2014, and I told him right away that he could change everything about Vermont Academy Basketball, including reaching the NBA. Ever since that conversation, our program has sent 24 student-athletes to play college basketball and 14 of those to compete at the Division I level," said Popp. "Ambitious basketball players across the world now consider it fashionable to attend Vermont Academy. I’ll be the first to boast that Bruce Brown put our program on the map," he added.
Brown’s future continues to brighten, as experts predict that he will be a contributor to the Pistons. He reports to Detroit on June 26 and will travel to Las Vegas for NBA Summer League shortly thereafter. The Pistons summer opener vs. the Milwaukee Bucks will premiere on NBA TV on July 6. Fans can support Bruce Brown by tuning in or by following @VtAcademyHoops on Twitter and Instagram for consistent updates.
Check out this video of Bruce Brown playing at VA.
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Vermont Academy Basketball has emerged as one of the most prominent prep school programs in the country, and Bruce Brown deserves much of the credit for this meteoric rise. In Brown's time at the grassroots level, he was twice named All-NEPSAC 1st Team, and he earned Jordan Brand All-American honors. He qualified for the prestigious Nike Peach Jam three times, and at the height of his prep school career, he led the VA Wildcats to a NEPSAC Championship in 2016.
Brown spent three years at Vermont Academy, and his impact continues to permeate the program. VA Head Coach Alex Popp is especially grateful for the 6'5" combo guard, and he shared his respect for the rising star with Wildcat Nation on Thursday night while supporting Brown at the Draft.
"I started coaching Bruce in the fall of 2014, and I told him right away that he could change everything about Vermont Academy Basketball, including reaching the NBA. Ever since that conversation, our program has sent 24 student-athletes to play college basketball and 14 of those to compete at the Division I level," said Popp. "Ambitious basketball players across the world now consider it fashionable to attend Vermont Academy. I’ll be the first to boast that Bruce Brown put our program on the map," he added.
Brown’s future continues to brighten, as experts predict that he will be a contributor to the Pistons. He reports to Detroit on June 26 and will travel to Las Vegas for NBA Summer League shortly thereafter. The Pistons summer opener vs. the Milwaukee Bucks will premiere on NBA TV on July 6. Fans can support Bruce Brown by tuning in or by following @VtAcademyHoops on Twitter and Instagram for consistent updates.
Check out this video of Bruce Brown playing at VA.
Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.
