ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico men’s basketball program has added forward transfer Rodgerick “Rod” Brown to the 2020-21 roster, the program announced Wednesday. Brown comes to UNM from Pearl River Community College after spending two seasons at Wichita State.
“We recruited Rod three years ago when he established himself as a nationally-recognized prospect,” UNM head coach Paul Weir said. “To have the opportunity to finally coach him now is a wonderful development for Lobo Basketball. He comes with increased experience from both Wichita State and Pearl River, two terrific programs led by outstanding basketball coaches.
“We are fortunate to add a young man of his caliber at a position of great need. His focus on academics and winning is refreshing and we can’t wait to watch him grow and perform here in Albuquerque.”
Brown spent the 2019-20 season at Pearl River where he helped lead the 28-0 Wildcats to the only NJCAA DI undefeated season, the No. 1 seed in the national tournament and their second straight Region XXIII Championship. He averaged 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 56.4 percent from the floor on the season. Brown saw action in 27 games, all of which he started, averaging 19.9 minutes per contest as a redshirt-sophomore. Brown registered six double-doubles on the season to go along with five 20-point games including a season-high 28 points in Pearl River’s 90-86 win over Jones College.
Prior to his time at Pearl River, Brown spent two seasons at Wichita State, redshirting his freshman year in 2017-18. In his only season on the floor (2018-19), he appeared in 36 games for a total of 254 minutes while collecting a total of 41 points, 48 rebounds, seven steals, four assists and a block. He also registered his NCAA Division I career high of six points on Jan. 12 at Houston.
“I chose UNM because of the fan base, coaching staff and, of course, the opportunity to play for a good team,” Brown said. “The program prides itself in supporting its sport teams so it gives me a boost to play even harder every time I step on the court.”