Winona High graduate taken in NBA draft

Alec Brown selected by Phoenix Suns in 2nd round

WINONA, Minn. (WKBT) — Winona Senior High School graduate Alec Brown was drafted in the second round of Thursday night’s NBA draft.

Brown, who played center for UW-Green Bay before graduating earlier this year, was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 50th overall pick.

He said he received a text from his agent, then saw his name on ESPN a couple minutes later. He was watching the draft with friends and family at a restaurant in Winona.

“I’ve kind of calmed down a little bit,” Brown said. “I’m not going to lie. It was a lot of hugging. Probably shed a couple of tears.”

The pick came as an absolute shock.

“Honestly, it was a toss-up. I didn’t know if I was going to get drafted or not. I knew I’d be happy either way, from all the hard work I put in. But just to see your name go up on the screen, it means a lot. With all my family here, for them to be here and celebrate with me, it was awesome.”

Brown worked out with 11 NBA teams; the Suns were first.

“I knew I’d be a good fit for that team right away. Right when I worked out for them, I had a good workout. Shooting the ball good, all the stuff we did in the workout was stuff that relates to their team. A lot of running, a lot of fast break stuff, which is what they do. It’s honestly what fits me the best.”

The seven-footer will play in the NBA Summer League next month.

“For them to pick me, it’s really exciting for me because I think I have a really good chance to make the roster.”