VCU landed its fourth commitment to the 2020 class with the addition of Mikeal Brown-Jones. He commited the same day as Jamir Watkins. Mikeal is a 6'7 power forward who will add significant size to the roster when he arrives in Richmond next year. We caught up with him for some Q&A about his commitment and experience with VCU.
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You announced your decision later in the afternoon of the same day that Jamir Watkins announced. Was it planned?
That wasn’t planned at all. I actually got really excited that we committed on the same day.
What does your relationship with Jamir look like?
We have a pretty good relationship. Playing for the same program, we got to know each other some.
How did you decide on VCU?
I was chosen by VCU. From the moment I walked on campus I felt as is I was home.
What did you love the most about our program?
It’s genuine vibes from everyone. Coaches, players, mangers, myself and my family felt instant love.
You picked VCU over hometown teams like Temple and Villanova - did you want to get away from home for school?
Yes. Playing for a hometown school would have been nice but I grew up in Philly basically my entire life. Going to school in a different state has been a success for me so far. Staying away for college wouldn’t be any different.
What do you like about the city of Richmond?
I like the fact that there’s no professional team in Richmond. That leaves college sports as the talk of the town, which allows VCU to be the city’s favorite team.
What's your relationship like with Mike Rhoades?
Coach Rhoades is a great guy! He has a relationship with my previous coach, Coach McAloon (Head Coach of IMG Varsity National team). With that being said, Coach Rhoades and I instantly built a great relationship.
What guys on the VCU roster do you have a connection with?
Na’shon Hyland, aka “Bones”. We’re pretty tight. Every time we’re with each other it’s all love and genuine vibes, never a dull moment.
You played with Amando Bacot, who has a history with VCU, was he involved in your decision?
Mando and I talked a lot about where I was going to go. He mentioned VCU to me a lot because it’s his home city and he wanted me to “turn his city up” as he phrased it.
What aspects of your game are you developing as you prepare for VCU's style of play?
I just want to be the glue guy that does everything on the court to put VCU in the best possible situation to succeed. There’s no specific attributes that I’m working on just everything a basketball player would need to be successful for a long time.
Any thoughts on who VCU's last scholarship for next year should go to?
Not sure but whoever lands it will be welcome with open arms and will be making a great choice picking VCU.
[am4show have="p2;p5;" user_error="error" guest_error="error"]
You announced your decision later in the afternoon of the same day that Jamir Watkins announced. Was it planned?
That wasn’t planned at all. I actually got really excited that we committed on the same day.
What does your relationship with Jamir look like?
We have a pretty good relationship. Playing for the same program, we got to know each other some.
How did you decide on VCU?
I was chosen by VCU. From the moment I walked on campus I felt as is I was home.
What did you love the most about our program?
It’s genuine vibes from everyone. Coaches, players, mangers, myself and my family felt instant love.
You picked VCU over hometown teams like Temple and Villanova - did you want to get away from home for school?
Yes. Playing for a hometown school would have been nice but I grew up in Philly basically my entire life. Going to school in a different state has been a success for me so far. Staying away for college wouldn’t be any different.
What do you like about the city of Richmond?
I like the fact that there’s no professional team in Richmond. That leaves college sports as the talk of the town, which allows VCU to be the city’s favorite team.
What's your relationship like with Mike Rhoades?
Coach Rhoades is a great guy! He has a relationship with my previous coach, Coach McAloon (Head Coach of IMG Varsity National team). With that being said, Coach Rhoades and I instantly built a great relationship.
What guys on the VCU roster do you have a connection with?
Na’shon Hyland, aka “Bones”. We’re pretty tight. Every time we’re with each other it’s all love and genuine vibes, never a dull moment.
You played with Amando Bacot, who has a history with VCU, was he involved in your decision?
Mando and I talked a lot about where I was going to go. He mentioned VCU to me a lot because it’s his home city and he wanted me to “turn his city up” as he phrased it.
What aspects of your game are you developing as you prepare for VCU's style of play?
I just want to be the glue guy that does everything on the court to put VCU in the best possible situation to succeed. There’s no specific attributes that I’m working on just everything a basketball player would need to be successful for a long time.
Any thoughts on who VCU's last scholarship for next year should go to?
Not sure but whoever lands it will be welcome with open arms and will be making a great choice picking VCU.
