The Wolfpacker

JANUARY 2016 ■ 63 other players. He also played for two orga- nizations in the CBA, which was the main minor league for professional basketball at that time. Playing with different teams helped Brown forge some deep connections throughout the NBA. After his playing career ended, Brown came back to earn his degree in sociology at NC State in 2004. Brown's scouting career helps him re- main part of the fabric of NC State hoops. He recently was honored during the South Alabama game at PNC Arena by the Leg- ends Classic. "That felt good to walk out there and also different, too, because you are a little nervous," Brown said. "My kids were at the game, and they were able to see that. It felt good to be recognized." Brown never felt he lost touch with the Wolfpack program during his NBA career because he always returned to Raleigh and played pickup games with the players each offseason. "I was never really the guy that left and was far away from the program," Brown said. "When I played in the NBA, I would come back every summer. I knew the guys and stayed connected to the program. "All of the coaches that have come through have seen me. I took classes in the summer time, too." NC State head coach Mark Gottfried tries to bring the past players for a gather- ing each year, which is also a nice touch. "I think it's great because you never know when one of us might have a son that ends up getting recruited," Brown said. "My kids think NC State is the greatest university ever. When they go over to NC State, they see so many people come up to me to say 'Hello' and 'How are you doing?' They get a sense of the history." Brown played on some great teams under head coach Jim Valvano and looks forward to future ACC success, and breaking the league title-less streak that he was a part of. He loves the facilities in place at NC State, and considers himself an expert on the matter after playing for so many NBA organizations. "It is great to see the university grow like it has grown," Brown said. "I remember my senior year, Centennial Campus had one building. The facilities they have now, we didn't have all that. They are putting money into it, and the program wants to get back to that top-tier level. "I've been on a lot of pro teams, and NC State's facilities are near the top of all of those. The top pro facility that I've been a part of is Phoenix, but their weight room wasn't as good as NC State's because it was small." ■ Gardner Marsh Gas Equipment Company, Inc. 8209 Brownleigh Drive 2119 Jody Road Raleigh, NC 27617 Florence, SC 29501 Ph: 919 787 8214 Ph: 843 669 3136 Ph: 800 334 9245 Ph: 800 868 8988 Fax: 800 400 2596 Fax: 843 661 5236 Web: www.gardnermarsh.com WAKE STONE CORPORATION Five convenient locations to serve you with crushed stone: Triangle Quarry Moncure Quarry I-40 at Harrison Ave. US 1 at Deep River 919-677-0050 919-755-7349 Knightdale Quarry Hwy. 64 East 919-266-9266 Nash Co. Quarry N. Myrtle Quarry I-95 at Gold Rock Hwy. 9 East, SC 252-985-4411 843-756-3400 WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

• Cover