Class 2A rivals Walker, Brown join forces on local team in Super 64

Dantley Walker couldn’t help but laugh when asked what it’s like to play basketball alongside Class 2A Southern League rival Quincy Brown during the summer.

“It’s fun,” he said. “It’s a lot better than playing against him.”

And how does Brown like it?

“It’s real good playing with him because he’s not torching me with his 3,” he said.

Walker, a sharp-shooting guard from Lincoln County, and Brown, a rebound-gobbling forward from Agassi Prep, will play for the Las Vegas Prospects 16s at the adidas Super 64 beginning Wednesday. Both will be juniors next season.

The summer is a key proving ground for small-school players such as the 5-foot-10-inch Walker, who plays in tiny Panaca.

“4A guys don’t really know about the 2A,” said Walker, who averaged 26.4 points and 6.2 assists as a sophomore.

Though Walker and Brown might not garner the most attention locally, they haven’t gone unnoticed among college coaches.

Walker has received interest from Brigham Young, Utah State and Southern Utah. Brown has been in contact with Virginia Tech and Montana State.

Both players are awaiting their first scholarship offer, which could come sooner rather than later depending on how they perform this week.

“I’m very excited,” said Brown, who averaged 16.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks last season. “It’s a time to showcase my skill in front of coaches and most importantly, Virginia Tech.”

After tasting a 2A state title as a freshman, Walker’s sophomore season ended at the hands of Brown’s Stars, 55-53, in the semifinals of the 2A Southern League tournament.

Agassi Prep went on to win the league tournament and reach the state final.

But the rivalry hasn’t prevented a friendship.

“We’re real close,” Brown said. “We hang out all the time. We respect each other’s game.”

The Prospects 16s tip off at 3:40 p.m. Wednesday against Virginia Assault 16s at the Tarkanian Basketball Academy.

Other locals on the roster include Durango’s Greg Gentry, Canyon Springs’ Jared Brandon and Michael Thompson, and Foothill’s Zac Ginter and Augustus French.

“I think we’ll be good,” Walker said. “We have as good a chance as anybody.”