Zach Brown to St. John's: Red Storm Land 4-Star Center Prospect

St. John's basketball has scored a huge commitment for 2017, landing prized center Zach Brown to boost the team's presence in the paint. 

The 4-star prospect announced his decision to join the Red Storm on Twitter on Thursday, saying, "... The place I feel most comfortable is St. John's University."

Brown is regarded as one of the most talented big men in the 2017 recruiting class. He's the fifth-ranked player from the state of Florida, the ninth-ranked center and the 86th-ranked player overall, per 247Sports' composite rankings. 

Per ESPN's scouting report, Brown has all the physical attributes to be an impact inside player during his college career:

"

Brown is an imposing physical presence who combines size, length, an already big frame that should have no problem continuing to add muscle mass, and a good motor. The southpaw has terrific hands, a willingness to go right into contact, and good poise with his back to the basket.

[...] 

He's a young and talented big man who is embracing what it means to be a true post player. While his game can be unpolished at times, he is active, and consequently highly impactful, on both ends of the floor and one of the top center prospects in America regardless of class.

"

While that sounds good, Brown does come with outside baggage. He originally committed to the University of Connecticut, but the two sides agreed to a mutual parting of ways in May. 

Brown was arrested less than four weeks later in Miami on robbery charges, per an official police record. His attorneys, Michael T. Davis and Benedict P. Kuehen, told Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv that "two of the cases have been dropped, and we remain hopeful about the third that's pending."

If Brown is able to put his legal issues behind him, this is a huge win for St. John's and head coach Chris Mullin. He is their first 2017 commit, per 247Sports, and provides the kind of impact talent this program needs coming off an 8-24 record last season.

Star ranking courtesy of 247Sports.