<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4dLjS9_0lUTV7FG00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4dLjS9_0lUTV7FG00" width="620" height="320" ></figure><a href="https://247sports.com/Player/James-Brown-46115295">James Brown</a> is taking the next step in his basketball career. To be ready for the grind of the ACC, and potentially play as a freshman, he's leaving Chicago and heading southwest.On Friday, Brown enrolled at Branson (Mo.) Link Academy, where he'll finish out his high school career. He leaves Chicago (Ill.) St. Rita after three seasons, and with no ill will."I'm grateful for my time at St. Rita and what we were able to accomplish there," Brown told Inside Carolina. "But at the end of the day, I think Link gives me a chance to be around a lot of like-minded individuals. Not that they weren't at St. Rita, but at Link it's school and basketball, those are the only two things you focus on."Brown, ranked the No. 48 player in the junior class by 247Sports, committed to UNC on Jan. 2. He's been mulling a move to Link since he visited the school a couple weeks back."This is a chance for me to be independent and away from my family," explained Brown. "I'll be able mature mentally, get stronger, and get better as a basketball player... I saw (during my visit) what Link can help me become. It's basically college. There's a strict schedule from when you wake up to your last workout."Link Academy is 24-1 this season, and will compete in Geico Nationals beginning Thursday. A big part of its success is 2024 UNC commitment Elliot Cadeau. Brown liked what he saw from his future teammate while at a Lions practice."We talked a little bit while I was there, but texted for a bit afterwards," Brown said. "Watching how he makes his teammates better was fun. He's able to advance the ball up the floor quickly and hit people in transition. I can see us being able to make each other look good. It will good to get used to playing with him a whole year earlier than I would if I wasn't going to Link. I'm excited... just the ability to play with 10 or 11 other great players who all have the same goals in mind - it's a blessing. I got better at St. Rita, and I think the move to Link is going to take my game to yet another level."In conjunction with his move to Link, Brown will also be switching things up on the AAU circuit. For the past two years he's been with Chicago-based Meanstreets. He'll still be on Nike's EYBL circuit, but instead will run with MoKan Elite - one of grassroots basketball's most consistent teams."It's the only EYBL program to win three Peach Jam championships," said Brown. "During my first practice with them, you could tell it's a real winning culture. I was able to see up close the practice habits they have translated into games all these years. I enjoyed my time with Meanstreets a lot - it's a first-class group and I would've never been noticed by North Carolina without it."Brown will make his national debut with MoKan on April 21 in Atlanta during the spring's first live evaluation period."I'm excited to get a chance to reinvent myself a little bit," he said. "Going to institutions with a new mindset, I can set new goals and put myself in position to be the best person and player I can be."</div></body>

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James Brown Heading to Link Academy For Senior Season

James Brown is taking the next step in his basketball career. To be ready for the grind of the ACC, and potentially play as a freshman, he's leaving Chicago and heading southwest. On Friday, Brown enrolled at Branson (Mo.) Link Academy, where he'll finish out his high school career. He...