Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Mike Young has plucked the California guard from the transfer portal.
Rodney Brown Jr., who played as a freshman this year at Cal, a member of the Pacific 12, announced on Twitter Monday that he has committed to Virginia Tech.
The 6-foot-6, 180-pound Brown averaged 3.5 points and 14.1 minutes off the bench this year. The California native appeared in all 32 games for the Golden Bears. Of Brown's 39 baskets, 23 were 3-pointers.
Brown entered the transfer portal last month with his former school scheduled to join the ACC later this year.
Brown played 25 minutes against San Diego State, scoring nine points and making three 3-pointers. He had 13 points and three 3-pointers in 23 minutes at Southern California. He scored 12 points in 18 minutes against Arizona. He scored 12 points in 23 minutes at Washington State.
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Brown is ranked No. 13 among high school seniors in California among the Class of 2023 by ESPN. He was rated the nation's No. 26 small forward in the 2023 class by ESPN.
Brown becomes the third transfer to commit to Tech this month, joining College of Charleston forward Ben Burnham and Texas-San Antonio guard Jordan Ivey-Curry.
CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein tweeted Sunday that Ivy Curry told him he would declare for the NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility. So Ivy Curry, who announced her commitment to Tech on April 2, leaves the door open for her to join the Hokies as planned.
The move will allow Ivy-Curry to join the Hokies while showing off his talents to NBA scouts during workouts and the combine, and getting feedback from the NBA. The NCAA has given Ivey-Curry and other players until May 29 to withdraw from the draft and maintain their college eligibility.
In April 2021, Tech's Keve Alma declared for the draft while maintaining his college eligibility. He ultimately withdrew from the draft, returned to the Hokies, and helped Tech win the 2022 ACC Tournament.
In April 2022, Alma and teammate Justin Matz declared for the draft while maintaining their college eligibility. Matz ultimately declined the draft and returned to the Hokies, while Alma ultimately decided to turn pro.
Brown is set on the 2024-25 roster along with Burnham, Ivy-Curry, Maylijael Poteet, Brandon Rechsteiner, Jadon Young, Patrick Wessler, and signees Ryan Jones Jr. and Tyler Johnson. He is one of nine scholarship players.
Tech starters Sean Pedula, MJ Collins and Lynn Kidd and backups Tyler Nickel and John Camden entered the portal last month. Kidd signed with Miami and Nickell signed with Vanderbilt.
Virginia Tech will also have to replace Hunter Kattore, Robby Beran and Mekhi Long. This was their last year of eligibility.
