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Transit Tech’s Rhamel Brown commits to Manhattan College

Rhamel Brown had the scholarship in his hand and a suitor that was following him for some time. There was little else to think about.

Brown verbally committed to Manhattan College Feb. 24, becoming the second New York City standout in Coach Barry Rohrssen’s upcoming recruiting class. He joins All Hallows guard Mike Alvarado, an All-CHSAA first-team selection, of The Bronx. Brown picked the Jaspers over LIU and St. Peter’s.

“Not many guys are in the spot I’m in,” the Transit Tech forward said. “I’m definitely excited about it and I feel proud.”

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Brown, a Harlem native, is best known for his shot-blocking ability. He has reached double-digit blocks several times this year, including a 12-swat performance in a loss to four-time defending champion Lincoln.

“It’s almost like he has it down to a science,” Thomas Jefferson basketball coach Lawrence (Bud) Pollard said. “He has something you can’t teach. You can’t teach somebody to block shots the way he blocks them.”

Brown, who is averaging 13 points and 10 rebounds per game this year, has led Transit Tech to a 16-9 record and a fourth-place finish in Brooklyn AA, arguably the best division in the city.

“He just makes the right play all the time,” one Division I assistant coach said. “When you combine that ability to make the right play most of the time with his physical stuff, his ability to rebound, his long arms and being a good passer for a big guy, that’s when you get a really good player.”

In addition to Alvarado, Brown may soon be joined by another city product, former Thomas Jefferson star Joel (Air Jamaica) Wright, according to sources. Spending a post-graduate year at Central Jersey Each One Teach One (CJEOTO) in Somerset, N.J., Wright committed to Fordham last year, but never signed a Letter of Intent and has since decommitted.

While Brown, who is academically qualified, is undersized for a Division I power forward at 6-foot-6, talent evaluator Tom Konchalski said he is more than big enough to excel in the paint in the MAAC. The scout likes Brown’s motor, length and strength.

Laidback and low-key, Brown is excited about his future at Manhattan, but for the time being, he is focused on the present.

“Now that I have made my decision, I can focus on the playoffs and leading my team to a championship,” he said.