Four-star Jalen Brown to transfer over concerns Shelby County Schools won't play basketball this season

Memphis Commercial Appeal

Wooddale’s Jalen Brown looks to pass against Lausanne during the ARS National Hoopfest in January at Olive Branch High School.

Jalen Brown, the state's No. 4 basketball prospect for the Class of 2021 in the 247Sports Composite, is transferring from Wooddale to Tennessee Prep, he confirmed.

He and his father, Jeremiah Brown, both said a big reason for the move is that they're concerned Shelby County Schools might not play basketball this season.

"That's one of the main reasons why, and obviously with the prep school he'll be able to play some tougher competition and in some national tournaments," his dad said. "They'll be in the City of Palms tournament and have the chance to play against teams like Prolific Prep. He'll be coached by the infamous, world-renowned Harold Rayford out of New York City. And right now I just want Jalen to be around somebody that's not going to be handcuffed by what SCS is doing as far as not being allowed to have access to the gyms and things of that nature."

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Shelby County Schools teams have not been allowed to play contact sports because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the state began playing football last week, but Shelby County Schools has said it will meet after Labor Day to decide whether it will play fall sports. Under current guidelines, SCS teams are not allowed to be in weight rooms, either.

Jeremiah Brown said that he thought it was too much of a risk to wait to see what SCS would do for the basketball season.

In what was supposed to be a key year for his recruitment, his junior year, Jalen Brown missed several games because of injury before returning for the stretch run just before the playoffs. Then the state tournament and the Nike EYBL circuit, which Brown planned to play on with Woodz Elite, were canceled over COVID-19.

"It's a big thing because if I would've never left Wooddale, I wouldn't be able to do anything but work out, and college coaches wouldn't be able to see me play," Brown said. "And now they'll get a chance to see me play and get more looks on me."