North Carolina recruit James Brown, who says he’s ‘excited and thrilled,’ leaves St. Rita for prep school in Missouri

St. Rita’s trio of junior stars will not be sticking together for their senior season.

James Brown, a 6-foot-10 forward who is committed to North Carolina, announced Friday on Twitter that he will transfer to Link Academy, a prep school in Branson, Missouri.

“Excited and thrilled to begin a new journey at Link Academy, where I will be finishing my high school career,” Brown said on Twitter. “I’m striving to be the best me I can be. Let’s get it!”

Brown, who committed to North Carolina in January, told Inside Carolina, a Tar Heels’ recruiting website, about his decision to leave St. Rita.

“I’m grateful for my time at St. Rita and what we were able to accomplish there,” Brown said. “But at the end of the day, I think Link gives me a chance to be around a lot of like-minded individuals.

“Not that they weren’t at St. Rita, but at Link, it’s school and basketball — those are the only two things you focus on.”

Brown is ranked as the No. 48 player in the country in the 2024 class by 247 Sports. He had been the No. 1 player in Illinois.

With Johnson, Illinois recruit Morez Johnson and Iowa State commit Nojus Indrusaitis, St. Rita had the top three junior recruits in the state.

The Mustangs (23-11) delivered an up-and-down season, however, while navigating a tough national schedule.

St. Rita won the Catholic League Blue title and a regional championship before losing 72-65 to Brother Rice in a Class 4A St. Rita Sectional semifinal.

Brown averaged 11 points and nine rebounds. His stats took a bit of a hit with the addition of Indrusaitis — who transferred in from Lemont and averaged 17 points — and the continued development of Johnson, who led the Mustangs by averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.