Player: Tjay Brunson
Class: 2028
Height: 6’7
AAU: 1of1 Elite
School: Cleveland High School
The Class of 2028 in North Carolina is shaping up to be a memorable one, and a player that we have talked about for some time now is 2028 6’7 Tjay Brunson. Phenom Hoops was one of the first to talk about Brunson and we have only continued to say that Brunson may have the biggest upside in the class with his athleticism, size, impact, and potential as an offensive and defensive weapon. He holds a lot with his game and that can easily be seen, as our own Jeff Bendel had this to say:
“At 6-foot-7 with amazing fluidity and powerful athleticism, he puts unbelievable pressure on the rim. Brunson wants to dunk absolutely everything, and often does, but also possesses an impressive blend of skills. Not only does he thrive in transition, but he also regularly creates fast-break opportunities through his sheer effort. Brunson is a high-activity defender and tremendous rebounder who grabs the ball and flies past retreating defenders to put his elbows in the rim. He also runs the floor and moves really well as a cutter to make himself available to put even more pressure on the basket. Brunson’s nonstop motor and phenomenal physical tools lead to a ton of points inside the paint, but his IQ, vision, and useful creation instincts allow him to do a lot of different things with the ball. He’s a very willing passer who consistently puts others in scoring positions. Brunson continues to develop his handle and three-point jumper, but is still able to knock down shots, get wherever he wants off the bounce, and legitimately dominate a game on both ends of the floor. Already the type of player that every coach in the country should covet, it’s scary to consider how much upside he has remaining.”
When we spoke about Brunson, we only knew it was a matter of time before schools would catch on, and with the contact period approaching for the Class of 2028, schools are quickly jumping on board. It first started with offers from Mississippi State, Campbell, and Wake Forest. Still, now schools like Washington State, East Carolina, UNCG, NC State, Coastal Carolina, and Rutgers have all offered, and I don’t see that slowing down any time soon, as several other schools have been reaching out to express interest.