Oklahoma City’s “Next Man Up” approach has been lamented by Thunder Head Coach Mark Daigneault since the infancy stages of the season. And as we’ve seen Sunday, that same sentiment holds through even in the management ranks signing guard Charlie Brown Jr. to a 10-day contract.
Brown Jr.’s contract comes as a product of guard Justin Robinson completing his second 10-day contract with the organization. Given league regulations, GM Sam Presti was left with an ultimatum: sign Robinson for the remainder of the year, or target another young piece for the short-term — he chose the latter.
Brown Jr. joins the franchise as the team’s fifth-oldest player (Horford, Muscala, Williams, Deck) at 24-years-old, bringing potential versatility with a 6-foot-6 frame.
Finishing college as a three-star recruit, Brown Jr. climbed the ranks within Saint Joseph’s out of the gate. In his Freshman year, he tallied 31 games (30 starts) on 34.2 minutes to average 12.8 points and 5.0 rebounds, even shooting 38.4% from distance. In a highly anticipated sophomore campaign, Brown Jr. was left sidelined all year with a broken left wrist, leaving him with a medical redshirt — and more to prove. He proved doubters wrong in his return season, leading the Hawks with 19.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 32 appearances.
After going declaring for the draft early, Brown Jr. failed his hear his name called in 2019; however, in weeks following, he inked a tw0-way contract with the Atlanta Hawks.
In his rookie season, Brown Jr. placed a mere 10 NBA games with the Hawks in his two-way deal, instead playing for their affiliate College Park Skyhawks for 28 games, placing 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.3 blocks.
After Atlanta declined to extend Brown Jr., he started this season with the Minnesota Timberwolves for training camp, but after cuts, he found himself on the outside. With this, Brown Jr. suited up for the Iowa Wolves for the Orlando bubble, posting 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.7 steals while going 35.5% from outside.
Given Brown Jr. possesses a 6-foot-6 frame 7-foot wingspan, he should fit right into Oklahoma City’s core of interchangeable parts. Expect the 24-year-old to lurk around the perimeter for catch-and-shoot opportunities while being a sneaky threat to create takeaways off of pokeaways.
Brown Jr. will enter Oklahoma City’s roster as its fifth-oldest member behind Al Horford, Mike Muscala, Kenrich Williams, and Gabriel Deck.