Brown impressed with local basketball talent

Former University of Nevada coach Mike Brown said he is impressed with the kind of basketball talent on the island and said that some players can play in the community college level in the U.S.

“Players here, especially those in the national team, can definitely play community college and lower division college basketball in the States. The problem is getting the opportunity to play at that level. But definitely, there is talent here to play in the smaller schools [in the U.S.] and who knows some of these kids may even develop and play at a bigger program. But then again the exposure should be there for them to do that,” he said.

Brown, who is part of the David Wood-headlined University of Nations delegation that is here on Saipan to conduct youth basketball clinics, said the island population’s obvious disadvantage in ceiling could be remedied with the proper training.

“It really depends on what that athlete wants to do. If that athlete is looking to go overseas and play in the community college level, you’d be amazed at that level that you’ll have centers that are 6’3” and 6’4.” If they’re built like a center therefore they should be trained as a center/forward,” he said.

Brown, however, stressed that a big man’s game shouldn’t stop there and that he should also develop guard skills to complement his game.

“He should have both (center and guard skills) in his repertoire. That’s what we try to do in the camp. We give them guard skills and we also teach them post skills as well to round out their games. They should learn how to play both positions and should develop the skills based on their body type and basketball ability.

“The more skills you bring to a coach, the better off you’re going to be. If you can say ‘I can play in the post and I can also play outside,’ you’re going to look more attractive to a coach compared to somebody who would say ‘I can only play outside,’” he said.

Brown said the he’s been amazed on how the NBA has evolved the past 30 or so years and how differently positions are now defined. He said it is this very trend that their clinics would like to develop.

“In the NBA a lot of 6’7” and 6’8” guys handle it [the ball] like the 6’ and 6’3” guys and so the guys that are 6’4” and 6’5” here on the island they would have a shot to play both positions. Like Dirk Nowitzki, he’s the perfect example here. He can play outside and he can also play inside. It’s the kind of skill development that we’d like some of these kids to be able to have,” he said.

The basketball clinic for players between eight to 12 years old continued yesterday morning at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium with over 100 kids showing up. The 13-17 cage clinic in the afternoon, meanwhile, drew over 90 players.

Aside from Wood and Brown, the UN delegation is also composed of former University of Nevada athletic director Dick Dankworth and baseball veteran Dan Dix.

Brown and company are inviting the public to join them at the Carolinian Utt tonight starting at 7:30pm for a get-together where they will watch Wood’s highlight video, some NBA bloopers, and learn about Wood’s story in college, the NBA, and his life in general.