Loyola?s Gerald Brown knows his future isn?t in his backyard ? it?s across the Atlantic Ocean.
The standout guard helped put the Greyhounds basketball team back on the map after transferring three years ago from Providence. But if he wants to keep his dreams of playing in the National Basketball Association alive and earn his living as a professional athlete, Brown knows it starts in a foreign country.
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“I just worked out with the Wizards and that went pretty good,” Brown said. “Right now, I am [planning on] going across the sea, and I haven?t decided yet where I am going to play.”
Brown, who averaged 22.2 points per game ? eighth best in Division I in 2006-2007 ? was hampered last season by an injured left knee, causing his average to fall to 18.8 points per game. Even with the injury, however, he led the team with 51 steals, made 79.1 percent of his free throws and averaged five rebounds per game.
“As a child, that?s every kid?s dream to play pro ball,” he said. “Right now, I am trying to live the dream.”
But Brown isn?t the only local star working to extend his career.
Brown?s teammates at Loyola, forwards Michael Tuck, Hassan Fofana and Omari Isreal, also are looking to play internationally.
Morgan State, which had one of most successful season in school history last year and won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season title, should see its pair of stars playing professionally somewhere next season. Guard Jamar Smith, the MEAC Player of the Year, who averaged 16.6 points per game last season, is exploring his options in Europe. Forward Boubacar Coly, the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, opted to forego his final year of eligibility to pursue his chances as a pro. Coly averaged 9.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.
At Towson, guard C.C Williams (8.7 points, 4.7 assists per game) is working with an agent to explore his options. But forward Jon Pease is returning to school to finish his degree in special education, and has exhausted his eligibility.
“A lot of [getting guys playing overseas] is based on the contacts that the coaches have, and we are lucky with the experience we have,” Towson coach Pat Kennedy said. “You want credibility with NBA guys. If I turn to them and say I need a recommendation for a player, and say I?m talking to a scout for a team, when he reaches out to foreign owners, the scout vouches for that player.”
UMBC, which made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the school?s 21-year Division I history, is losing guards Brian Hodges, Ray Barbosa and forward Cavell Johnson next season, but all three are returning to school to continue their educations.
Coppin State will look to repeat as MEAC Tournament champion behind guard Tywain McKee, who will return next season after averaging 16.6 points and 3.1 assists last year.
