ANN ARBOR, Mich. — He’s only been through two days of his first NBA training camp, but Bruce Brown already has the demeanor of a grizzled veteran.
The 22-year-old is playful yet attentive. He’s joyous, but still noticeably weary. From all accounts, the Detroit Pistons rookie is embracing life in the NBA.
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After two seasons at the University of Miami (Fla.) — the second of which was cut short due to a foot injury — Brown became the No. 42 pick for Detroit in June’s draft. At 6-foot-5, he’s a wing at heart, but senior adviser Ed Stefanski and head coach Dwane Casey see a future at point guard. He’s impressed them so far.
Alongside fellow rookie Khyri Thomas, who was drafted No. 38 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers but later traded to Detroit, Brown is quickly learning what comes with being a newbie in the NBA. The hazing has already begun. The days are grueling. And nothing is guaranteed.
The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III caught up with Brown on Wednesday afternoon following the Pistons’ morning session at the University of Michigan’s Crisler Center. The two discussed many topics, including what it’s like to grow up in a massive family, his hobbies off the court and the hazing he and Thomas have endured thus far.
Enjoy.
James L. Edwards III: When you got Detroit, what was the first thing you did as you tried to get acclimated to your new home?
Bruce Brown: First thing I did, I went to the hotel and ate. Then I went to the gym. That’s literally it. I didn’t really do much. I haven’t been to downtown Detroit except for when we went to the Lions game, and then Little Caesars (Arena).
JLEIII: I remember when you got drafted that you said you’d never been to Detroit before. When was the last time you remember watching a Pistons game?
BB: I can’t even remember. Maybe when they played Cleveland in the (2007 Eastern Conference Finals). I wasn’t really paying attention to it, though.
JLEIII: You have nine other siblings, right?
BB: Ten other siblings.
JLEIII: Wow. Where are you at in the bunch?
BB: I’m right in the middle. I’m like the big brother for all of them, though — for the ones older than me and younger than me.
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JLEIII: Are you the oldest boy?
BB: No. I just have been trying to take care of everybody. I try to come in and give advice, really.
JLEIII: What’s it like growing up with that many sibling around all the time? I imagine it had to be fun.
BB: It was great. We definitely had fun. There were, obviously, fights. Everyone fights. But it was a lot of fun. I need more nieces and nephews in the family, but it’s all good.
JLEIII: Are there any ball players in the family?
BB: No, not right now. Everyone plays football, though. I’m the only ball player right now.
JLEIII: So how did you get into basketball?
BB: My older brother played a little bit. My dad still plays in an old-man league. He kind of introduced me to the game.
JLEIII: You were born in the Boston area but ended up finishing high school in Vermont, correct?
BB: Yep.
JLEIII: Was that scary to go to a new school, new state, later in your high school years?
BB: I wanted to. I needed to get somewhere where I could just focus on basketball and academics. It was one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made.
JLEIII: How would you describe Vermont? I’ve never been.
BB: There are a lot of trees. At my school, we were in the middle of nowhere. There was nothing but trees. There was no phone service, just Wi-Fi. Really, you were there to focus on what you needed to focus on.
JLEIII: Last time we got to talk to you, you were heavy into Fortnite. Have you gotten a chance to play with your new teammates yet?
BB: I have not. We all just got the new Spider-Man game. I beat it in two days.
JLEIII: My friend did the same thing.
BB: The new FIFA came out, so we’re getting ready to dive into that.
JLEIII: I got it Monday night. I’ve been playing when I get free time. … Apparently, the rookie hazing has started. Can you describe the backpacks you and Khyri have to carry everywhere?
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BB: The day we left for training camp, to come here, they brought the bags. … My bag says “Follow Your Dreams” and has rainbow coloring on the back, and it’s pink. Khyri’s bag is really awful, too. It’s a shiny pink with little hearts on it.
JLEIII: Has there been anything else that they’ve made you do?
BB: Really, just get the towels, the drinks. Nothing crazy. … Oh! At media day, I kept getting bumped. Blake (Griffin) walked in and I was in the middle of something, and he was like, ‘Rook, (get) out!’ I had to leave. I was like, “All right, bet.” I couldn’t really do anything. I waited for, like, 20 minutes because the vets kept coming in.
JLEIII: I know training camp just started but you got your first taste of NBA life out in Los Angeles with the team during voluntary workouts. How would you describe that first experience going against proven NBA guys?
BB: It’s definitely different from college. Everyone is better, more athletic. Right now, I’m just trying to learn, take in as much as I can and be a sponge. We have great vets here. Jose (Calderon) has played, like, 14 years in the league, so I’m just trying to learn from him and Reggie.
JLEIII: Who was the first person from the team to reach out when you got drafted?
BB: I want to say it was Andre (Drummond) because of the New England background. He’s from Connecticut, I’m from Boston. I grew up watching him play. He’s taken me under his wing, he and Reggie (Jackson).
JLEIII: Coach Casey sees a future for you at point guard. Are you comfortable in that role, and how much point guard have you played?
BB: I’m definitely comfortable. In college, coach (Jim) Larrañaga usually put the ball in my hands when the game was on the line. I’m comfortable. Everyone has always said that I could play point guard, but no one has actually ever put me at the position. If Coach Casey believes in me, then I believe in myself, too.
(Top photo: Paul Sancya/Associated Press)
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