With two scholarships left for the 2018-19 season, Will Wade is still looking to add big bodies, and 2018 big Parker Braun fits the bill.
The 6-foot-9 forward from Overland Park, Kansas began an official visit to LSU on Sunday, his high school coach told Tiger Rag.
Braun, a skilled big who averaged 11.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks on 78 percent from the field and 43 percent from 3 his senior season at Blue Valley Northwest High School, recently landed offers from Arizona and Ole Miss, who he visited on May 4. He’s also picked up offers from Illinois and Nebraska.
“Parker is pretty athletic,” said BVNW head coach Ed Fritz, the brother of Tulane football coach Willie Fritz. “He jumps really well, he’s got long arms. He’s a really good defensive player. His timing is phenomenal as far as blocking shots and running the floor.”
Last summer, Braun played AAU ball for MOKAN Elite on the Nike EYBL circuit, averaging 5.0 points in 15 minutes per game and shooting an efficient 57 percent from the floor and 38 percent from 3. He also helped spearhead BVNW’s fourth 6A title in six seasons
“He played last summer and didn’t get tons of looks,” Fritz said. “He just did some great things during the season and really improved a lot and helped us win a lot of games. He’s started getting noticed toward the end of the year.”
LSU loses four bigs, starters Aaron Epps and Duop Reath, plus freshman Mayan Kiir and graduate transfer Jeremy Combs. The Tigers have signed three more forward in Emmitt Williams, Naz Reid, and Darius Days, plus they welcome Kavell Bigby-Williams, an Oregon transfer who becomes eligible in 2018-19.
”I think he’s really interested,” said Fritz.
Fritz says Braun is looking for a place that can develop his skills and offer a good education. He’s a stretch 4 with plenty of skill around the rim who can only benefit from an SEC weight program.
“He can shoot the 3,” Fritz said. “He made a lot of 3s for us this year, he’s good inside. He’s got a frame that if he can get around 20 to 25 pounds of upper body pretty easily. That’s something the coaches at LSU will look at and see. If he gets some strength, he’ll be a good player.”
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