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One for the books Wizards make history by selecting Brown No. 1
Updated: Wednesday June 27, 2001 7:39 PM
By Travis Richmond, CNNSI.com NEW YORK - Even though he was taken No. 1 overall in the 2001 NBA Draft, this isn't what Kwame Brown initially wanted. While he made history as the first-ever No. 1 pick to come directly from high school, Brown would rather be playing basketball next year in Gainesville, Fla., instead of Washington, D.C. But for financial reasons, Brown passed on a scholarship to Florida and jumped straight to the pros, where the Washington Wizards made him the top selection of the 2001 NBA Draft. "It was more of a sacrifice for my mom," Brown said of his decision to enter the draft. "She sacrificed for me for many years and I felt like doing this for her. I can always go back to school." Brown's mother, Joyce, is unable to work because of a degenerative disc in her back, and Kwame knows what kind of financial security is guaranteed if he is the top pick. According to the NBA's rookie salary scale, the No. 1 pick will make $3.08 million his first year, with annual increases of roughly 7.5 percent for the next two seasons. Though Brown would have preferred to develop his game for at least one season at Florida, his inclusion in this year's draft had the Wizards lusting after the 6-foot-11 product from Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Ga. Washington will be getting a player who believes he is mentally ready for the NBA grind. "Everyone always talks about the physical part [of the NBA], but they never talk about the mental. The mental is the most important part, because the body does what the mind says," Brown said. "You break down after a certain point of games, and you have to find something to keep you going." Perhaps most important for any club considering choosing a teenager, Brown said he is not worried about receiving immediate playing time and is willing to play whatever position his team needs him to. Brown predicts he will begin his career as a power forward but expects to be "given a run at the 3." "I don't think anyone can come in with the idea that they are ready to play. I think everyone should come in with an open mind and be willing to learn," Brown said. "The game will take care of itself, and if you are dedicated to the game you are going to reap the benefits." Adjusting to the life of an NBA player is a concern for Brown, he said, but seeing players such as Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady successfully make the jump from high school gives him confidence that he, too, will be able to succeed. "That just lets me know that it can be done. When you always hear about the people who don't make it, it kind of scares you. But when you see living proof, it's almost like a testimony," Brown said. "Once you see a high school guy on national television, it lifts you up. If he can do it, I can do it." NBA teams obviously believe that, too. |
