Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney head men’s basketball coach Kevin Lofton announced today that Colorado natives Garret Brown and Braden Boley have joined the Lopers.
Brown is a 6-6, 200-pound forward from Denver (George Washington H.S.) with Boley being a 6-3, 175-pound point guard from Parker (Chaparral H.S.). They are the sixth and seventh recruits, respectively, to date. The others are forward Sean Murphy (New Zealand) and guards Cam Binder (Auburn), Sean Evans (Parker, Colo.), Nick Huston (Rigby, Idaho) and David Simental (Pueblo West, Colo.).
Brown was at 7.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for the George Washington Patriots this past season. He shot just over 60 percent from the field and was part of team that finished as Class 5A state runners up. The Pats went 13-4 and won four games to reach the state finals. Having six double figures games during the season, Brown had eight points and four boards in the title game loss to ThunderRidge High.
A two-year varsity team member, Brown helped the Pats go 18-9 in 2019-20. That team won three games in the state tourney to reach the Elite Eight. Finally, he is a member of the Billups Elite Club team.
“One, Garret has a great attitude. Two, we really like his ability to impact the game in the paint. He’s a good rebounder and does a good job of posting up and getting opportunities around the basket,” said Lofton. “Defensively he should help because of his size and strength. He already looks like an MIAA forward.”
Boley played with Evans at Legend High before finishing up at Chaparral this spring. He averaged 11.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game for a Wolverines squad that went 12-4 and reached the 2021 Class 5A Elite Eight. Subsequently, he was named honorable mention all-state.
“Braden is a really heady point guard. He does a good job of making plays for others,” said Lofton. “He doesn’t necessarily look to score first but has the ability to do so when needed.”
Boley and Evans helped the Legend Titans win 15 games in both 2019 and 2020 and reach the state tourney in both seasons. He averaged 8.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals as a junior.
“We’re really excited about the players we have coming in from Colorado. All four have the ability to be good players at our level,” Lofton said.
In a shortened 22-game season in 2021, UNK had 13 contests decided by eight points or less, picked up two wins over Central Missouri, one over rival Fort Hays State and another against NCAA Tournament qualifier Missouri Western. Among the returners will be All-MIAA pick Austin Luger (Alliance) and fellow forward Darrian Nebeker (West Jordan, Utah).
