LAS VEGAS — When the Knicks unveiled their NBA Summer League roster, the headliners were: an undrafted rookie, Jaylen Martin, the team’s lone draft pick the past two years, Trevor Keels, and a player who spent a good portion of last season with the Knicks, DaQuan Jeffries.
But through three games, there is no debate the Knicks’ best player has been an unheralded and overlooked 26-year-old wing who has played for Team USA’s 3-on-3 team, coached by ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla.
Meet Charlie Brown Jr.
“He can play multiple positions, he can handle the ball, he can rebound and he can push the ball,” Knicks summer league coach Dice Yoshimoto said. “Just his versatility, he can do different things. The way that he handles himself, he’s done great so far.”
The 6-foot-6 Brown produced a strong all-around game of 19 points, six rebounds, four blocks and two assists in 28 impactful minutes in the Knicks’ 82-80 overtime victory Wednesday night over the Magic at Thomas & Mack Center.
He played similarly well in the two previous games, making the right play and hitting shots when they presented themself.
A free agent, Brown has tried not to think too much about his future. He wants to help the Knicks win here.
“I think first and foremost, my mindset is always team first,” said Brown, who starred for St. Joseph’s in college. “I feed off everybody’s energy. We’ve got great energy on this team. … I take this opportunity to get better, do what Dice asks me to do, and things are going to work out the way things are going to work out. I try to take advantage of every opportunity I can.”
After he was not drafted in 2019, Brown has bounced around, appearing in 41 NBA games with the Hawks, Thunder, Mavericks and 76ers.
He has played for Team USA’s 3-on-3 club, which enabled him to go overseas for the first team.
As a result, he may end up playing for Team USA in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris if the United States qualifies. That experience may have been beneficial to Brown with the Knicks, too.
Brown also was the MVP of the 2021 FIBA Americas Championship in Miami and led the team in scoring in two tournaments in France this summer.
“In certain minor ways, like reading the three-guy defense or breaking your man down in isolation, it definitely helps,” he said. “It’s playing off the catch, you got to make quick decisions in 3-on-3, and playing iso.”
Brown’s performance helped the Knicks rebound after they started summer play with lopsided losses to the 76ers and Nets.
He nearly won it for them in regulation Wednesday, when he drove the lane and passed to open Marcus Foster Jr., who scored with 7.2 seconds left. But Magic first-round pick Anthony Black forced overtime with a tip-in at the horn.
In the extra session, Martin clinched the victory with a difficult shot in the lane, and was mobbed by his teammates. Summer league uses a targeted score in overtime rather than a game clock.
“That’s big time. That kid is very humble. He’s coming out of high school, so he’s learning quick,” Brown said of Martin, who had 12 points. “He’s going to be really good.”
Brown’s hope is that a franchise is impressed enough by his performance in Las Vegas to sign him. He has been a major bright spot for the Knicks, making sure they won’t go winless with his effort on Wednesday night. His focus is on helping his current team win games, and maybe that will lead him to an opportunity.
“[I want teams to see] that I play hard, I’m committed,” Brown said. “I’m a great teammate. I’m a 3-and-D guy. I play defense and hit open jump shots.”