Portal Pulse v30: Jamar Brown – UCLA’s Underrated Wing Solution
UMKC SG Jamar Brown (6’5” 205) is an immediate offensive upgrade over UCLA’s wings a season ago (Kobe Johnson, Lazar Stefanovic, Sebastian Mack). Here’s why this under-the-radar pickup could be one of Mick Cronin’s smartest portal moves yet.
The Case for Brown
Elite Shooting with Contested Range
40% from 3 with a hand in his face (75th percentile nationally).
59% eFG on guarded catch-and-shoot – better than most high-major wings.
Unorthodox release, but lightning-quick and repeatable.
High-IQ Movement & Off-Ball Scoring
1.46 PPP on cuts (87th percentile) – elite feel for spacing.
1.43 PPP on putbacks (91st percentile) – crashes glass like a big.
Defensive Upside Beyond the Stats
Steals numbers (1.5 SPG) understate his activity.
Uses angles and positioning to compensate for average athleticism.
Proven Against Tournament Teams
20 pts vs. Iowa State, 16 rebs vs. Creighton.
Not just padding stats vs. low-majors.
Fit Concerns & Adjustments
Culture Jump: UMKC was 12-20 last year. Can he adapt to UCLA’s intensity?
Defensive Footwork: Needs refinement to guard elite wings.
Small-Ball 4 Viability: Not ideal, but his rebounding (12 games with 9+ boards, 8 games with 11+ boards) allows emergency minutes there.
Why This Works
Budget-Friendly: NIL cost is modest compared to portal stars.
Plug-and-Play Offense: His shooting and cutting abilities are a fit offensively.
Floor-Raising Depth: Even if he’s not a star, he’s a reliable 8-10 PPG wing who spaces the floor, is high-level on the glass, and secures possessions.
Bottom Line: Brown isn’t flashy, but he’s the type of low-risk, high-reward piece UCLA needs to bolster its wing depth. The portal waits for no one, and if Cronin can sharpen his defensive habits, this could be a steal.
Grade: B+ (Potentially an A if he adjusts quickly).
20 points vs Iowa State (#7 ranked team in the country)
8 offensive rebounds on Creighton. Season: 1.43 PPP on putbacks (91st percentile)
1.46 PPP on cuts (87th percentile) – elite feel for spacing and when to “hit the hole” to use football terminology.
Hey all paid subscribers, I had to make the Jamar Brown post public. Thanks for understanding.
Looks good. Like you mention, he moves well without the ball. And in these clips he keeps the ball moving, whether rebounding, passing, or scoring. Little wasted effort or pointless dribbling.
This is what I had hoped Jan Vide would be for the Bruins, inclusive of the funky floater.