Nov. 11, 2015
Vanderbilt head coach Kevin Stallings has announced the signing of Clevon Brown and Payton Willis to National Letters of Intent and each will be eligible to compete for the Commodores in the 2016-17 campaign.
“We’re thrilled to add Clevon and Payton to our program,” said Vanderbilt head coach Kevin Stallings. “They possess high-level basketball skills and come from great families and we couldn’t be more excited in what they will bring to our program, both on and off the floor. Both have done a great job in the classroom and will be great additions to what is already a terrific core of good guys in our basketball program.”
Brown, a 6’8 forward forward from San Antonio, Texas, who attended Churchill High School, is ranked as the 9th-best player in the state of Texas by Texas Hoops, and the 126th-ranked player nationally by Rivals.com. As a junior, he averaged 16.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game and was named to the District 26-6A first team, while also claiming all-tournament honors at the Northside ISD and Georgetown tournaments. Ranked as the 26th-ranked power forward in the country by Scout.com, he also received offers from Texas, Illinois, Notre Dame, and Auburn.
“I chose Vanderbilt because it was the best fit and is a great school academically,” said Brown. “I got along with the coaches and players very well when I came on my visit and I felt like they can develop my game the best.”
Willis, a 6’4 guard who attends Fayetteville High School in Fayetteville, Arkansas, averaged 15.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while also shooting 44.7% from three in his junior season and was honored as an all-conference and all-state selection as a sophomore and junior. Willis is the second-ranked player in the state of Arkansas, the 22nd-best point guard in the country by 247sports.com, and ranked as the 119th-best player in the nation by Rivals.com.
“I chose Vandy because I feel that it’s the perfect fit for me,” said Willis. “The playing style of the team along with feeling right in place when I played pick-up with the guys were huge factors. I love Coach Stallings and his staff as well as the academic prestige of the school.”
