Mario Brown
Mario Brown (c. 1951 – October 5, 2002), known as "Bro' Rap", was the first African-American men's basketball player at Texas A&M University.
Early life and education[edit]
Mario Brown attended Parker High School in Chicago, Illinois. As a senior, Brown was named the most valuable player of the school's basketball team and earned all-district honors. He was also president of the school's student council and played on the baseball team.[1]
After graduating from high school, Brown played basketball for two years for Kennedy–King College in Chicago.[1]
Texas A&M University[edit]
Brown was recruited by Texas A&M coach Shelby Metcalf, who travelled to Chicago, Illinois to personally ask Brown to attend the school. Brown played for two seasons at A&M, starting in 51 games and averaging 14 points and 4.3 assists per game. In his first season, 1971–1972, Brown earned second team All-Southwest Conference honors, leading A&M with a 16.9 scoring average in conference play and helping the team to a 16–10 record. The following year, his senior year, Brown was selected as team co-captain, and averaged 13.4 points and 4 assists per game as the Aggies ranked second in the Southwest Conference and finished with a 17–9 record.[1]
Brown was a very fast player with a great crossover dribble.[1]
Later years[edit]
Brown died of lung cancer one month after his diagnosis in 2002.[2] He was survived by his wife, Myrtle, and several children,[1] including Nick Brown, a USA Junior National Champion in track and field who had much success in track and field at the University of Illinois,[2] and Sergio Brown, a football safety who played in the NFL with four teams, including the New England Patriots.[3][4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e "First African American to play basketball at A&M dies of cancer". Bryan-College Station Eagle. October 10, 2002. Archived from the original on December 30, 2006. Retrieved February 19, 2007.
- ^ a b Murray, Troy (December 5, 2006). "Illini track star Nick Brown perseveres amid tragedies". DailyIllini.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2007.
- ^ Johnson, Alec (November 14, 2014). "Underdog Story: Colts Safety Sergio Brown Makes Most of Opportunity". Indianapolis Monthly. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
- ^ "Sergio Brown Biography". New England Patriots. September 10, 2010. Archived from the original on September 7, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2010.