Belmont University’s men’s basketball head coach Evan Bradds revealed this week that Eli Brown, a highly touted guard from Brentwood Academy, has signed to join the Bruins for the summer of 2026. The announcement underscores the program’s continued focus on adding versatile backcourt talent.
Brown arrives with a résumé that includes being named a 2026 Division II‑AA Tennessee Mr. Basketball Nominee, a BCAT All‑Star and a Prep Hoops All‑Star. Over his high school career he amassed 1,461 points, hit 302 three‑point shots at a 40 percent clip and maintained an 80 percent free‑throw rate, numbers that placed him among the state’s most consistent scorers.
A team leader at Brentwood Academy, Brown was coached by Andy Blackston, whose own coaching tree includes Belmont Hall of Famer Kerron Johnson. He also developed his game with Pro One UAA and the Hoop City Basketball Club, experiences that have prepared him for the rigors of Division I competition.
A Legacy of Excellence Continues
Belmont’s men’s basketball program has long been a postseason staple, earning nine NCAA Tournament appearances in the past two decades and capturing 21 conference titles since 2006. The Bruins have also distinguished themselves academically, boasting an NCAA‑leading 20 Academic All‑America selections since 2001 and the unique distinction of maintaining perfect APR scores every year of the university’s existence.
The addition of Brown is expected to deepen the Bruins’ backcourt options and reinforce a recruiting pipeline that has produced NBA draft picks such as Darius Garland, Tyler Tanner, Ben Sheppard and Dylan Windler in recent years. With his blend of shooting accuracy, toughness and leadership, Brown is poised to contribute immediately as the program looks ahead to the next chapter of its storied legacy.