by Jeremy Bauman / @JBauman13
Throughout the college basketball landscape, with the one-and-done rule, each and every year there are players that go to school, captivate the nation for a year with their remarkable skills, and turn pro. On the other hand, there are players like Temple’s Aaron Brown—a New Jersey kid who attended high school at the famed St. Benedicts—who will do go through their college basketball days in a more conventional process.
As a freshman for an NCAA Tournament team at Temple, Brown racked up valuable minutes off the bench for the Owls and gained knowledge, experience and a feel for the game that will help him to blossom in the future. I caught up with Brown about a month ago to discuss everything basketball (sorry it took so long to post!) and Aaron turned in a very informative interview.
Remember, not every player will leave their mark after a year. Brown will likely be a poster-child for the four-year plan at the college level—both as a player and as a person.
SLAM: So first off, tell some of the people out there what your game is like. What are your strengths at both ends and what do you need to work on?
Aaron Brown: My strengths are shooting the ball, driving to the hole, and a really good defender.
SLAM: I witnessed you work out with Paul Suber in the Gauchos gym a few years ago, and I remember how hard you worked that summer. What will your off-season be like after your first season at Temple?
AB: My postseason workouts will be tough, both in the weight room and on the court as well—after the season is when you get better!
SLAM: What was this season at Temple like? In what ways did you grow as a player on the court and a person off the court?
AB: It was an up and down season for me. Early on I didn’t get a lot of playing time, but after many practices of putting in solid contribution I got my chance to play.
SLAM: For the most part, you didn’t get consistent minutes this year, but at the end of the year coach really went to you in crucial situations. How did you improve as the season went on? What, exactly, did you learn as the season went on?
AB: As the season went on I just had to stay focused and not worry about the past. Extra shooting, extra conditioning, extra preparation is what kept me on point. I learned that you never know when your names going to be called, and when it’s called you have to be ready to go.
SLAM: How is college different from high school?
AB: Well for me it’s not really that much of a difference on the court and in the classroom. I would say that for that most part the biggest difference is you freedom.
SLAM: You picked Temple over some pretty good schools, academically speaking. Why did you go to Temple over schools like Harvard?
AB: I felt that I wouldn’t be challenged on the court if I had went to a more academically based school. Don’t get me wrong, academics are huge, but at the same time I want to be challenged at my craft on the court to get me to the highest level.
SLAM: What will your team be like next season—how will you be similar/different from this year’s team?
AB: First of we will lose Lavoy Allen, one of the greats in the history of Temple but we will be able to make changes. We have a lot of guards that we will be able to contribute next year. We probably will have to change up our style of play a little, but nevertheless still be able to fight and compete like every past team at Temple.
SLAM: What are your goals as a player at Temple?
AB: My goal is to be the best player that I can be on and off the court. I work hard at this game and want it to be something I do for a while after I leave school (NBA). I plan to make the tournament every year that I’m here and to make some noise.
SLAM: What is your major and how will you apply it to what you want to do after you graduate from college (if you have any idea want to do when you graduate from Temple)?
AB: I’m in the process of switching my major, but I plan to do something in the business world when my playing days are done.
SLAM: Where do you see your playing career going after college? The NBA is every player’s dream, but how does Europe sound?
AB: Yea that’s my dream as well. Europe could be a great experience also. Some of my friends play over there and they love it, so i would have no problem playing over there.
SLAM: When did you start playing basketball seriously? Who do you model your game after and why?
AB: I started playing seriously in the 7th grade. My favorite player is Kobe Bryant, but I would say my game models after Carmelo.
SLAM: What is something interesting that people don’t know about Aaron Brown?
AB: I’m really into fashion and music, so I guess you could say that basketball sort of motivates me to work hard so that one day I can have the finer things in life that I would enjoy.
SLAM: What do you do in your spare time?
AB: In my spare time I like to spend time with my family, go to church when I get a chance, shop, and I love to sleep.
SLAM: Anything else you’d like to add?
AB: Yea just want to give a few shout outs to some people, first off God, my family who travels with me everywhere, my brothers for life Tristan & Myck, and last but not least my teammates here at Temple.
