Bears garner basketball transfer

ORONO – After a frustrating freshman year at James Madison University, the newest member of the University of Maine men’s basketball team is hoping life in Orono will be more to his liking.

Clayton Brown, a 6-foot-7 forward who finished his high school career as one of the most prolific scorers in New Jersey history, began attending classes at UMaine Tuesday and will be eligible to play for the Bears next fall. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Maine recruited Brown as a high schooler before losing him to James Madison.

“We had a scholarship open and it was a no-brain decision for me,” Maine coach John Giannini said. “I like Clayton as a person and I think he’s going to be a very good player in America East.”

Brown said his career at James Madison ended on a bitter note after he suffered a fracture in his lower spine early in the season. He played just 21 minutes in three games before his injury.

Brown said he felt he was being rushed into the lineup when he wasn’t physically capable of playing.

Brown said that during the transfer process Hartford, Central Florida and Maine sought his services.

But while the other two schools were a bit more elusive, he liked Maine’s direct approach.

“I said yes on the spot,” Brown said. “Because [Giannini] wasn’t playing any games and wasn’t looking for somebody else. He said, `I want you, Clayton,’ and that’s the kind of man I want to play for.”

Brown scored 2,446 career points at Palmyra High, where he finished as the 17th-leading scorer in New Jersey high school history. He averaged 27.5 ppg as a senior and 25.2 ppg as a junior.

Giannini said Brown is a polished offensive player who can play all three frontcourt positions.

“He’s just a strong kid who’s going to make over 50 percent of his shots,” Giannini said. “He just puts the ball in the basket. He’s a bull-type player who has nice touch.”