Former Blue Ridge basketball star Maliq Brown transfers from Syracuse to Duke

Maliq Brown is officially a Duke Blue Devil.

Duke men’s basketball coach Jon Scheyer officially announced the addition of the former Blue Ridge star to the Blue Devils’ program on Thursday.

Brown, a 6-8, 222-pound forward, heads to Duke after spending the first two years of his college basketball career at Syracuse. This past season, Brown averaged 9.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 0.9 blocks per game for the Orange and was named to the ACC’s All-Defensive Team. Brown led the conference in steals with 71.

“We are thrilled to add Maliq Brown to our program,” Scheyer said in a release. “Maliq is a skilled, tough and versatile forward who brings a competitive mentality to every game and practice. He was one of the most efficient offensive players in the country last year at Syracuse, and also one of the best defenders in the ACC while leading the league in steals.”

Brown appeared in all 32 games for Syracuse during 2023-24 season, averaging 29.6 minutes per game. He started the final 18 games for the Orange and finished the season strong, recording double-doubles in the final three games of the season, including an 11-point, 12-rebound effort against NC State in the ACC Tournament.

“Maliq takes pride in doing all the little things that impact winning,” Scheyer said. “A rising junior and All-ACC defender, Maliq brings a team-first mentality and winning instincts that will elevate our group.”

Prior to his time at Syracuse, Brown starred at Blue Ridge for head coach Cade Lemcke. During his senior season, Brown was named the Blue Ridge Conference, VISAA Division II and Central Virginia boys basketball player of the year after averaging 15.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.4 steals, 2.2 assists and 1.5 blocks per and helping the Barons win their fourth straight state championship.

Brown, who is from Culpeper, is the second former Central Virginia high school standout to depart the Syracuse men’s basketball program this offseason. Former St. Anne’s-Belfield standout Justin Taylor, who started all 32 games for Syracuse this past season, recently transferred from Syracuse to James Madison.