Mario Brown
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Mario Brown (abt 1951 - Oct 5, 2002), known as "Bro' Rap", was the first African-American men's basketball player at Texas A&M University.
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[edit] Early years
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 Junior College in Chicago.[1]
[edit] Texas A&M University
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]
[edit] Later Years
Brown, long a heavy smoker, 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 has had much success in track and field at the University of Illinois.[2]
