Mario Brown

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.

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]

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]

Later years

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 has had much success in track and field at the University of Illinois.^[2] Sergio Brown former standout Safety for the University of Notre Dame Football Team. Now a new member of the NFL Patriots. doi + accessdate = 2010 - 08- 14 "Sergio Brown Biography". New England Patriots. September 10, 2010. http://www.patriots.com/team/index.cfm?ac=playerbio&bio=34194 doi + accessdate = 2010 - 08- 14. 

References

1. ^ ^{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 2006-12-30. http://web.archive.org/web/20061230231449/http://www.theeagle.com/aandmnews/101002basketball.htm. Retrieved 2007-02-19. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Murray, Troy (December 5, 2006). "Illini track star Nick Brown perseveres amid tragedies". DailyIllini.com. http://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2006/12/05/Sports/Illini.Track.Star.Nick.Brown.Perseveres.Amid.Tragedies-2522019.shtml. Retrieved 2007-02-19. 

Persondata
Name	Brown, Mario
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1951
Place of birth
Date of death	2002
Place of death