Homewood-Flossmoor’s John Brown IV upends all of the typical presuppositions.
The 6-foot-6 sophomore forward might be the tallest player for the Vikings, but it doesn’t mean that he’s simply content to battle down low or do most of his work inside of the lane.
“Unpredictable is how I’d describe my game and my style,” Brown said. “People don’t know what to expect from me. They see my size and they think I’m going to be one type of player.
“But I’m different and not that way at all.”
Brown showed the way Friday night for host H-F, making four 3-pointers and scoring a career-high 18 points in a 64-57 SouhtWest Suburban Conference win over Lockport in Flossmoor.
Junior guard Ethan Jackson added 14 points for Homewood-Flossmoor (9-0, 5-0). Senior forward Marvin Douglas scored 12 points. Senior guard Danny Ruffin totaled 11 points and five assists.
Twin brothers Nojus and Nedas Venckus combined for nine 3-pointers in scoring 24 and 15 points, respectively, for Lockport (8-2, 4-1). Trace Schaaf added nine points and seven rebounds.
But on a team marked by more dynamic wing players and athletic guards, Brown still stands out. His outside shooting helped offset a sluggish first half that ended in a 19-19 halftime tie.
“Those 3-pointers he hit were like energy switches,” Jackson said of Brown, who also had seven rebounds and a blocked shot. “When John’s on fire like that, it just makes everybody go.
“You see that he can shoot the ball, but he’s also a hustle player who crashes the boards and rebounds.”
Brandin Brown, in his first season as H-F’s coach, pointed out that John Brown has proven his shooting performance last season in his varsity debut wasn’t a fluke.
“We watch him every day in practice and just see how capable he is in terms of shooting the basketball,” Brandin said. “This is his second year, and he’s more confident.
“He understands the speed of the game, and he’s extremely athletic. We tell him to go rebound. The rebounds are what get him going.”
Brown hit two 3-pointers for eight points during a scale-tipping performance in the third quarter.
“No matter what, even if you miss them, you always have to keep shooting with confidence,” he said. “Most people think I’m an athletic big who just rebounds and plays defense.
“They’re not expecting me to shoot the ball like that.”
Brown’s sensibility is more bookish and contemplative. Off the court, he spends time taking photographs and learning about web design.
“I’m more of a quiet guy,” he said. “Before games, I usually sit by myself and listen to music to get ready to play.”
Last season as a freshman, Brown played for the reigning Class 4A state champion. He had the best possible incubation period. Nothing was expected and he could develop at his own pace.
”I was actually just happy I made the team,” he said. “It was very fun to sit on the bench and watch my teammates get college offers.”
Brandin Brown credited H-F’s previous coaching staff for giving John Brown the room to breathe and develop on his own accord. He started playing basketball in the seventh and eighth grades.
“He didn’t play a ton or have a lot of opportunities,” Brandin said. “Last season, he got beat up a little bit every day, but this season is just paying dividends for him.”
John Brown IV, the fourth generation of his family to carry the suffix of his name, has learned how to embrace the expectations. His father, John Brown III, played at Leo and Illinois State.
“It’s my name and nobody else will ever have it,” Brown said. “I feel very proud and honored. Everything about the game right now is learning, growing and developing chemistry. It’s fun.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
