Martin, Brown Announce First Recruiting Class
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Fans of the Brown University men's basketball program know well of how thin the team's roster was last season. Brown played most of the year with only 8 or 9 players making things difficult on game day and even more so in practice where coaches had to suit up to play 5-on-5.
Despite those limited numbers, Mike Martin was able to lead the Bears to a very respectable (13-15) record and a (7-7) mark in the Ivy League in his first year as head coach. Now he will look to build on that success by adding more talent and more players to the program.
The school officially announced the incoming class of 2017 Tuesday. Here is the official release:
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTBrown Basketball Announces Its Class of 2017
Providence, R.I. - Brown men’s basketball coach Mike Martin ‘04 has announced his first recruiting class at Brown with six outstanding student-athletes joining the Brown team in the fall of 2013. Brown’s Class of 2017 includes 6-0 point guard Tavon Blackmon (Upper Marlboro, MD), 6-4 guard Norman Hobbie (Spring Lake, NJ), 6-7 forward Leland King (Inglewood, CA), 6-4 guard Matty Madigan (Winston-Salem, NC), 6-10 forward Aram Martin (San Antonio, TX), and 6-6 guard Steven Spieth (Dallas, TX).
"We are very pleased to welcome this group of six into our program this fall,” said Martin, a finalist for the 2013 Joe B. Hall Award as the top first-year head coach in Division I basketball. “We feel that we have addressed some of our needs and these young men will significantly improve our depth. Each member of this class will have an opportunity to contribute early in his career and will blend nicely with our returning players, as we look to become more competitive in the Ivy League."
The six newcomers will join a Brown team that posted a 13-15 record in Martin’s first year, including a win over Providence College, and a fourth place finish in the Ivy League standings.
Brown’s Class of 2017
Tavon Blackmon
Freshman
6-0, 180
Guard
Upper Marlboro, MD
Gonzaga College HS
Secondary School Background: A graduate of Gonzaga College High School where he lettered in basketball (3)…Two-time Gonzaga Defensive Player of the Year…3rd Team WCAC as a junior and senior…Team captain as a senior…DC Classic All-Tournament Team in 2011…Personal: Tavon E. Blackmon…The son of Fletcher and Karmilla Blackmon…Has a sibling, Kaira…Enjoys video games and spending time with friends and family. Undecided on his concentration.
Why Brown?: “Brown gives me the opportunity to receive one of the best educations in the country.”
Norman Hobbie
Freshman
Guard
6-4, 185
Spring Lake, NJ
Manasquan HS
Secondary School Background: A graduate of Manasquan High School where he lettered in basketball (3)…Two-year team captain… New Jersey State All-Star…Group 2 First Team All-State…Shore Conference All-Star…First Team All-Shore Conference…Number one free throw shooter in New Jersey…Made 226 career treys, and scored 1,411 career points…Averaged 22.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game as a senior… Scored a career high 49 points… Central Jersey Group 2 Finalists…Honor Roll student…Personal: Norman M. Hobbie…The son of Norman Hobbie…Has six siblings – RJ, Kasey, Charles, Jack, Tyler and Savannah.…Enjoys going to the movies, playing Xbox, hanging out with friends and spending time with family…Economics concentrator.
Why Brown?: “Brown’s reputation for academic excellence, personal growth and development, and its commitment to athletic accomplishment is second to none. On my unofficial and official visits, I was immediately struck by the positive atmosphere and cohesive nature if the Brown community. I knew Brown would be my home.”
Leland King
Freshman
6-7, 215
Forward
Inglewood, CA
Brentwood School
Secondary School Background: A graduate of Brentwood School where he lettered in basketball (4)…First Team All-Alpha League as a junior and senior…Alpha League MVP in his senior year…First Team All-State selection…Team captain and MVP…Albert “Cap” Lavin Scholar-Athlete Award winner…Honor roll student…Personal: Leland C. King…The son of Leland and Robin King…Has a sister, Bianca, and two brothers, Latham and Le’Marree…Enjoys movies, go-karting, hanging out with friends and video games… Undecided on his concentration.
Why Brown?: “Brown is a great environment and a great place for me. It’s a wonderful opportunity academically and athletically.”
Matty Madigan
Freshman
6-4, 192
Guard
Winston-Salem, NC
Mount Tabor
Secondary School Background: A graduate of Mount Tabor where he lettered in basketball (3)…Varsity team captain as a junior and senior…Wendy’s Heisman Award State 10 finalist…North Carolina 4A All-State selection…All Best of the Northwest North Carolina 4A…Central Piedmont 4A All-Conference (10th, 11th, 12th)…Three-time Spencer Classic All-Tournament Team and Central Piedmont All-Tournament Team…National AAU Showcase Champions…Averaged 15 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds as a senior…National Honor Society member…Honor Roll student all four years…AP Scholar with Honor…National Latin Honor Society…Personal: Matthew John Madigan…The son of Michael and Ann Madigan…Has two siblings, Michael and Kelly…Enjoys hiking and hunting…Plans to concentrate in Economics or BEO.
Why Brown?: “I felt like it was definitely a place I could spend the next four years of my life. The coaches and players are awesome.”
Aram Martin
Freshman
6-10, 190
Forward
San Antonio, TX
The Miller School of Albemarle
Secondary School Background: A graduate of The Miller School of Alberarle where he lettered for two years…Played for the Carolina Cougars AAU Team…National Honor Society member…W.E.B. Dubois Honor Society…Personal: Aram Hassan Martin…The son of Nathan and Wanda Purifoy…Has two older sisters…Enjoys anime, working on his game and playing the guitar…Neuropsychology concentrator.
Why Brown?: “Brown is the perfect environment in terms of school with equal parts of academics and athletics. My visit to Brown was amazing.”
Steven Spieth
Freshman
6-6, 210
Guard
Dallas, TX
Jesuit College Prep
Secondary School Background: A graduate of Jesuit College Prep where he lettered in basketball (3)…Knights of Columbus Tournament MVP as a senior…Three-time Plano Avery Air Tournament All-Tournament team, and MVP as a senior…Freshman team MVP…Scored a career high 36 points…Averaged 18 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists as a senior…Personal: Steven Edward Spieth…The son of Shawn and Christine Spieth…Has an older brother, Jordan, who plays on the PGA Tour, and a younger sister, Ellen…Enjoys fishing and golfing…Undecided on his concentration.
Why Brown?: “I chose Brown because of its great mix of academics and athletics, and I believe I can thrive there.”
