With a game forged on the Southside of Chicago, nurtured at DePaul University and honed in Europe, the Far East, and America’s Great Plains, Andre Brown has taken a circuitous route to earn his way onto an NBA roster.
After spending the fall with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBDL, leading the league in scoring and pulling down the second most rebounds, Brown was called up on a 10-day contract by the Sonics in December. With hustle, determination and an eye-opening block in the overtime of Seattle’s exhilarating win over Utah, Brown made his case to management that his 10-day dream-stint should turn into a roster spot for the remainder of the season. Now that Andre has secured his place in the squad for the rest of 2006-07 we wanted to get to know a little bit more about our newest SuperSonic.Growing up in Chicago who were some of the great players you balled with?
Guys like Bobby Simmons, who’s with Milwaukee Bucks now, and Quinton Richardson. There are a lot of guys from the Chicago area that are in the NBA now that I kinda looked up to and played with throughout the summer.
What corners of the world has your basketball odyssey taken you to?
I’ve played in Korea, Italy, Serbia and Montenegro and I also played in the Philippines for a short stint so I’ve been a little bit of everywhere.
Which was you favorite place to play?
Probably Korea; they really took care of the players, the people over there were friendly and they treated the league like it was the NBA—I mean good fans and good everything overall. I had a blast over there.
What did the NBDL do for your game?
It improved it—it helped build my confidence and prepared me for the NBA. It was a stepping stone to get here and I’m glad I went that route.
First coming into the league from the NBDL, what was the biggest adjustment for you on and off the court?
I think the biggest thing was having maturity on the court and off the court. Also having the confidence to play with these guys night in and night out and continuing to be consistent on a daily basis. It’s a job, but you also have to have fun with it so I think consistency plays a big part in all of that.
Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
Nah, not really, I drink two Red Bulls before every game, make sure I say a prayer, that’s about it.
When you enter a game, what’s your mindset? Is there anything you are specifically trying to focus on?
I come in knowing my job and knowing my role on this team and that’s to defend, rebound and be aggressive. If you have that mindset all the time, it’ll make it easy for you.
After Rick let you know you’d be staying with the team the rest of the season, what’s the first thing you did?
I called my mom and told her; she was very happy, very excited. Then I called everyone in my family after that and everyone was happy.
Did you buy anything for yourself?
Oh no, not yet. I think I’ll wait until I get home for the summer.
What do you want to do after basketball?
Hopefully I can pursue my dream in broadcasting. I took Communications classes while I was at DePaul, so hopefully that’ll work out after a long stint in the NBA.
Favorite pair of shoes you’ve ever had?
I think they all had to be Nike. I’d say my Nike Air Force One’s were the most comfortable, I think those are the best ones I’ve had.
Imagine you’re on MTV’s Cribs, what do you make sure you stock your fridge with?
Oh man, haha, probably lots of water and cranberry juice. I’m a big cranberry juice drinker. I guess that’s about it, oh, and make sure you have a fridge for Red Bulls!
What was your favorite thing to do in Sioux Falls?
Hahaha! Go to the movies, because that’s about all you can do!
Besides a family member, who is your role model?
The guys I went to DePaul with, because I looked up to those guys and they paved the way for me. Each summer I was working with them and they always stayed on me about working hard to get to that next level.
Favorite band or artist?
I’m pretty open-minded to all music, but I’m listening to T.I. right now for the most part. When I want to get in my game mode it’s always T.I.
Favorite TV Show?
It’s always been The Simpsons, I love The Simpsons. Everybody gets on me about that, but I like The Simpsons—that is a funny cartoon!
Who does your ink for you? What’s the story behind the
large tattoo on your leg?
I’ve got a guy back in Chicago that does all of my ink for me. The one of my leg is Psalm 27, it kind of relates to me and my life but it’s a long verse, I kind of hate reciting it every time so I make sure everyone gets a chance to read it.
If you could have dinner with any one person, who would it be and where would you eat?
Carmen Electra, hahaha, and I’d take her anywhere she wants to go!
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