All-Wright college start for Brown
Dec 27, 2006 9:40:26 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Dec 27, 2006 9:40:26 GMT -5
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All-Wright college start for Brown
Monday, December 25, 2006
By CHRIS BEAVEN
FAIRBORN - Dreams of playing in the NBA one day remain just that for Todd Brown.
The former McKinley High School basketball star knows any realization of that dream is a long way off. For now, Brown is enjoying his freshman year at Wright State University.
A 6-foot-5 guard-forward, Brown is earning minutes as he adapts to college basketball.
“I’m getting more playing time,” Brown said. “I’m fitting in more. There’s a lot of traveling. It’s a lot of fun.”
Brown has worked himself into Wright State’s rotation off the bench. He credits that to “being more aggressive, playing hard on defense, rebounding and just playing tough.”
His progress has impressed Wright State Coach Brad Brownell.
“He’s got a better feel for how we want to guard (people) defensively, and at the same time he’s relaxed a little bit,” Brownell said. “The pace of the game has slowed down for him, and he’s able to make better decisions.”
Brownell calls Brown “very coachable” and “bright.”
“He’s really worked hard since he got here,” Brownell said. “With time and repetition, the last few weeks we’ve slowly seen his development, and he’s gained confidence.”
Brown came to Wright State well prepared after being a four-year varsity player at McKinley. His work at forward the last two seasons helped the Bulldogs win back-to-back Division I titles. He averaged 9.6 points per game in that time as McKinley went 51-3.
“It helped a lot,” he said. “I get nervous, but not like most freshmen do. They’ll get really nervous. For me, it’s another game. All the big games (at McKinley) helped me with college games.”
Brown’s breakout game came in a Dec. 9 win at St. Bonaventure. He came off the bench to score 13 points, going 3-for-4 from 3-point range.
“He’s fit in, survived and learned a couple different things,” Brownell said. “There’s so much, so fast. It’s hard. But the last two weeks, he’s gotten more comfortable and confident.”
Brown needed to adjust to playing with his new team. He had essentially played with last year’s McKinley senior class since the third grade.
“It was just totally new,” Brown said. “It was weird not being with my regular guys. I had to get used to that.”
Brown still stays in touch with former teammates. But he knows his focus must be on the classroom and on the court.
“You don’t get much free time,” Brown said.
More adjustments await. Brown wants to get stronger, with hopes of adding 10 pounds to his 190-pound frame.
Brownell wants to see Brown improve as a ballhandler, continue defensive improvement and add to his offensive game.
A smooth and athletic player, Brown has the potential to average at least 15 points a game. He has a good jump shot from beyond the 3-point arc and coming off screens. The emphasis now is on improving Browns’ mid-range game and ability to hit pull-up shots.
“He has confidence in his ability to score,” Brownell said. “What we’ve got to do as a coaching staff, and Todd, is put in the time to develop all facets of his game. I don’t think you can be a prolific scorer at this level unless you can do it in a lot of different ways.”
Brownell expects Brown to earn consistent minutes.
“As long as he continues to work and doesn’t get satisfied,” Brownell said, “he’ll continue to get better, and if he does that he’ll have a nice career.”
In the short term, Brown’s focus is on improving, gaining experience “and just having fun as we try to get some wins.” But he is well aware of McKinley’s NBA lineage.
“That’s what keeps me driving,” Brown said. “Who doesn’t want to play in the pros? I think I do have a chance at Wright State to go on and do that, if I keep working hard and do my thing.”
Reach Repository sports writer Chris Beaven at (330) 580-8345 or e-mail: chris.beaven@cantonrep.com
All-Wright college start for Brown
Monday, December 25, 2006
By CHRIS BEAVEN
FAIRBORN - Dreams of playing in the NBA one day remain just that for Todd Brown.
The former McKinley High School basketball star knows any realization of that dream is a long way off. For now, Brown is enjoying his freshman year at Wright State University.
A 6-foot-5 guard-forward, Brown is earning minutes as he adapts to college basketball.
“I’m getting more playing time,” Brown said. “I’m fitting in more. There’s a lot of traveling. It’s a lot of fun.”
Brown has worked himself into Wright State’s rotation off the bench. He credits that to “being more aggressive, playing hard on defense, rebounding and just playing tough.”
His progress has impressed Wright State Coach Brad Brownell.
“He’s got a better feel for how we want to guard (people) defensively, and at the same time he’s relaxed a little bit,” Brownell said. “The pace of the game has slowed down for him, and he’s able to make better decisions.”
Brownell calls Brown “very coachable” and “bright.”
“He’s really worked hard since he got here,” Brownell said. “With time and repetition, the last few weeks we’ve slowly seen his development, and he’s gained confidence.”
Brown came to Wright State well prepared after being a four-year varsity player at McKinley. His work at forward the last two seasons helped the Bulldogs win back-to-back Division I titles. He averaged 9.6 points per game in that time as McKinley went 51-3.
“It helped a lot,” he said. “I get nervous, but not like most freshmen do. They’ll get really nervous. For me, it’s another game. All the big games (at McKinley) helped me with college games.”
Brown’s breakout game came in a Dec. 9 win at St. Bonaventure. He came off the bench to score 13 points, going 3-for-4 from 3-point range.
“He’s fit in, survived and learned a couple different things,” Brownell said. “There’s so much, so fast. It’s hard. But the last two weeks, he’s gotten more comfortable and confident.”
Brown needed to adjust to playing with his new team. He had essentially played with last year’s McKinley senior class since the third grade.
“It was just totally new,” Brown said. “It was weird not being with my regular guys. I had to get used to that.”
Brown still stays in touch with former teammates. But he knows his focus must be on the classroom and on the court.
“You don’t get much free time,” Brown said.
More adjustments await. Brown wants to get stronger, with hopes of adding 10 pounds to his 190-pound frame.
Brownell wants to see Brown improve as a ballhandler, continue defensive improvement and add to his offensive game.
A smooth and athletic player, Brown has the potential to average at least 15 points a game. He has a good jump shot from beyond the 3-point arc and coming off screens. The emphasis now is on improving Browns’ mid-range game and ability to hit pull-up shots.
“He has confidence in his ability to score,” Brownell said. “What we’ve got to do as a coaching staff, and Todd, is put in the time to develop all facets of his game. I don’t think you can be a prolific scorer at this level unless you can do it in a lot of different ways.”
Brownell expects Brown to earn consistent minutes.
“As long as he continues to work and doesn’t get satisfied,” Brownell said, “he’ll continue to get better, and if he does that he’ll have a nice career.”
In the short term, Brown’s focus is on improving, gaining experience “and just having fun as we try to get some wins.” But he is well aware of McKinley’s NBA lineage.
“That’s what keeps me driving,” Brown said. “Who doesn’t want to play in the pros? I think I do have a chance at Wright State to go on and do that, if I keep working hard and do my thing.”
Reach Repository sports writer Chris Beaven at (330) 580-8345 or e-mail: chris.beaven@cantonrep.com
