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Get to Know an Incoming Recruit: Joey Brunk

The center hopes to provide a consistent paint presence for this year’s Bulldogs.

Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar

Butler brought in a big one to highlight Chris Holtmann’s recruiting class.

But actually a big one. He is listed as 6’11’’ and 240 pounds.

As the 69th ranked player according to ESPN’s Top 100, Joey Brunk is one of the highest ranked recruits Butler has ever seen. The four-star recruit signed with Butler over other offers from numerous schools, including Xavier, Purdue and Indiana.

He led Southport to a 22-7 record his senior year and the school’s first regional title since 1990. Averaging 18.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game allowed Brunk to be one of the top three finalists for Indiana’s Mr. Basketball title. He was also named to Indiana All-Stars teams both his junior and senior years of high school.

ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla says Brunk will not be a “one-and-done” player that programs such as Kentucky recruit, so Butler was a logical fit for him.

“I felt at home already when I was there,” Brunk said to the IndyStar. “It just felt right.”

Brunk’s IQ and post skills will give him a chance to mix well with current “big man” players such as senior forward Andrew Chrabascz, junior forward Tyler Wideman and sophomore center Nate Fowler.

Until the 2016-17 season begins and we can see the full abilities and skill of Joey Brunk start to mature, we can just keep watching his senior season in review video. I can already hear all of the “and-1” whistles now.