Brown named top Aggie
Utah Statesman: You’ve started the season off with some pretty solid games. How do you feel being an Aggie?
Mark Brown: I like it. I’m up to the challenge. That is one of the reasons I came here. It’s a good program, and we play some tough competition, and I want to play against the best.
US: Besides winning the Hawaii-Hilo Shootout, how was Hawaii?
MB: We had a day (for pleasure). The time that was there was well spent. We went there and handled our business also. For a lot of us it was probably our first time and our only time there ever.
US: Have you formed close bonds with anyone on the team yet?
MB: I knew a couple of people from coming on my visit and I knew a couple because I played against them in California when I was in junior college. I don’t really have one special person I’m with all the time, because we all hang out.
US: What is the biggest difference between junior college basketball and Division I basketball?
MB: The competition level. The type of competition level you play against, [and] the intensity of the game and practices. It’s just a higher level. It’s much harder.
US: The media guide says you are interested in owning a business following graduation. What kind?
MB: I want to open my own clothing line or maybe a small restaurant.
US: When and why did you start playing basketball?
MB: I started playing when I was about 9. I just started like a lot of kids do, playing for fun at school, with my cousins and with my friends. I was actually really into soccer before I was into basketball. At a point I had to pick between the two and for some reason, I just chose basketball.
US: Who do you think will be the toughest opponent this season?
MB: I don’t think we have one good competition. Our toughest opponent is ourselves. It can be a long season if you make it, if you don’t click or everyone gets down on themselves if we lose a couple of games. Our biggest competition is ourselves. Once we get past that, I think we’ll be OK.
US: What do you do to relax?
MB: I’m a homebody. You find me at home a lot — watching TV, chilling around the house [or] I might go catch a movie. [I play] video games every once in awhile — not too much.
US: What attracted you to Utah State?
MB: One of the main things was the graduation rate of the basketball athletes, the environment and the basketball program of course and the school program. All of that really helped me make my final decision.
US: Who is your role model?
MB: My mom. She had me when she was young, and she never once thought about not having me. She knew it was going to be tough bringing me up being a single mother, but she stuck to it, and she stuck with me. She’s loved me all her life, and I love her for it.
–juag@cc.usu.edu