Chris Braley scored over 1000 points in three years at Nokomis high school.
As a junior, Braley averaged over 25 points and 12 rebounds per game to lead the Warriors to the 2011 Eastern Maine class B tournament.
Braley transferred to Phillips Exeter Academy after his junior season at Nokomis. Braley made that tough decision so he could work on his goal of getting to a top basketball/academic college.
Braley is co-captain on the Phillips Exeter basketball team and his team sits atop the class A New England Preparatory School Athletic Conference.standings with an 18-1 record with five games remaining in the regular season.
By transferring to a prep school Braley was able to reclassify as a high school junior for two more years as an undergraduate.
"It was a great transition. The academic challenge prepared me for college,"Braley said. "It helped me grow as a student and basketball player."
On Wednesday, Braley made a verbal commitment to accept an athletic scholarship to attend division one Stony Brook.
Braley who has not declared a major is hoping to be a physical trainer. Stony Brook had what he was looking for to try and reach that goal.
"The academic piece was a big part of it, "Braley said. "A lot of surrounding majors for what I want to go to school for."
Braley visited the Long Island school during the weekend of January 26th. The visit went well with Seawolves coach Steve Pikieli.
"Good relationship with coaching staff, "Braley said. "They have a good thing going with the program."
Braley a shooting guard/small forward will be joining a Seawolves program which has been among the top contenders in the America East in recent years. They are 17-5 overall and 8-1 in the conference so far this season.
Many division one schools had interest in Braley including Stony Brook, Quinnipiac, Duquesne, Wofford.Maine, Hofstra, James Madison and Albany.
For Braley it came down to Stony Brook or the University of Maine.
"Came down to Maine and Stony Brook,"Braley said. "Stony Brook had more of the academic pieces for what I want to go to school for. I think it was best for me to continue and broaden my horizons outside of the state of Maine."
Braley appreciates the support he has received from the Nokomis community.
"The Newport/Nokomis residents and the state of Maine have been behind me in the decision to leave Nokomis, "Braley said. "They were behind me again in my decision today to attend Stony Brook. They have been phenomenal. It shows what great people they are."
Braley is expected to sign his officially letter to attend Stony Brook on April 17th.
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