Mario Brown (c. 1951 – October 5, 2002), known as "Bro' Rap", was the first African-American men's basketball player at Texas A&M University.
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 College in Chicago. [1]
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]
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 had much success in track and field at the University of Illinois, [2] and Sergio Brown, a football safety who played in the NFL with four teams, including the New England Patriots. [3] [4] And Son Mario Brown Jr. He leaves behind his grandchildren Aszja Brown, Avanti Brown, and Mario Brown III
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