Brown wants to build UCF into a power

Chad Brown is the first component of what will be a key 2015 recruiting class for UCF.

With an eye towards competing in the highly-competitive American Athletic Conference, Knights coach Donnie Jones has told the Deltona (Fla.) power forward he's the "first piece of the puzzle" as they look to build a team capable of competing for championships.

Jones recently paid a visit to Brown's high school to see the 6-foot-8 big man along with his mother and coach.

"Coach Jones just wanted to check in with me, see how everything is going and talk about the plan and the future for the years to come," Brown said. "He told me how he wants me to fit into the program. This was the first year in the American and it was kind of tough for us, but we fought through it. He was just talking about how we could be that special team. He feels I'm a big piece to the puzzle. We talked about our goals for the future. It was a good talk."

As Brown alluded to, UCF made the jump to the American Athletic Conference in 2013-14, a league ranked among the best in college basketball. UConn was among the four member schools to make the NCAA Tournament with the Huskies ultimately defeating Kentucky for the national championship.

"That showed me a lot," Brown said. "UConn being a national champion shows the type of talent and the competitiveness we have in the American Conference. At UCF, you'll be playing against good players and good teams every night. You have to be ready to play at all times. It was a good thing seeing an American team winning the national championship. UCF is in a really good conference."

He's been a frequent visitor to campus since committing last September. If Deltona didn't have a game, Brown made sure he was in Orlando to root on his future team.

USF, FAU, FIU, Alabama, Kansas State, Virginia Commonwealth, Bethune-Cookman and Georgia Southern were among his other offers while Florida State, Miami, Virginia and Ole Miss have continued to recruit him. Brown said he's staying loyal to his original commitment.

"I love the coaches at UCF," Brown said. "They're real and very humble. I love the campus out there. It's the second-largest school in the country. I love the atmosphere. I love the fact we're playing good teams. I just want to make history. I want to be a player who goes there and helps build a program. All programs have to start with something. I feel with me and a couple other players, we could be the pieces to build a special program."

2015 is a strong year for local talent as UCF already has offers out to players such as Antonio Blakeney (Oak Ridge), Alex Owens (Oak Ridge), Jonathan Laurent (Dr. Phillips), C.J. Williamson (Evans), Matt Milon (Oviedo), Chance McSpadden (Winter Haven), Fletcher Magee (The First Academy) and Tanksley Efianayi (Daytona State College).

Brown is lobbying a few of those players to join him.

"I talk to all those guys," Brown said. "They're all really good kids and good players. I tell them how great UCF, the campus and the coaches are. I just tell them to come with me and build a program. Do something that's never been done before. We're thinking big time. We want to be where UConn was this year. To build a program, it takes players and lots of hard work. We feel if we have the right players we can do that."

Brown is currently focused on his AAU season with Florida Elite. He heads to Dallas this weekend for a tournament.

"I just want to make a name for myself nationally as one of the top players in the country," Brown said. "I feel I have the ability to accomplish that goal. I just want my team to be successful this year. It's my last year playing AAU so I want to be a winner."

Bright Future Ahead, I Will Not Stop Working #UCFKnights pic.twitter.com/3loFYx9het- Chad Brown ™ (@Ballislife1600) April 11, 2014