DETROIT (12/1/2020) -- Freshman
Caileb Brown (Lansing, Mich. / DeWitt) might be looking forward to Friday's match-up at Michigan State maybe more than anybody. Brown grew up in East Lansing and if all goes as planned, Brown's first collegiate game as a Titan will be in the Breslin Center against the Spartans.
Brown is a walk-on on the men's basketball team after earning varsity letters at DeWitt High School. A son of a coach, his dad once worked for the MSU basketball program and longtime Spartan head coach Tom Izzo as a manager and video coordinator and later became a high school coach.
In this week's edition of #TitanTuesday, DetroitTitans.com caught up with Brown.
Growing Up In East Lansing, How Special Is It That Your First Game Is At Michigan State?
CB: It is pretty crazy that my first game will be there. I have been watching them since I was born. My dad worked for Michigan State so it's pretty surreal that my first game will be at the Breslin Center. My dad was a manager for the team and then was the video coordinator and was there when they won the national championship in 2000. He has a real good relationship with coach Izzo. He then went to Cleveland State when MSU assistant coach Mike Garland went there to be the head coach and then he became a high school coach after that. I couldn't have drawn it up any better really and I am excited not just to play them, but us playing as a team and going there.
Did You Play Any Other Sports Outside Of Basketball?
CB: I played football and baseball growing up, but once I got to high school, I decided to focus on basketball.
What Did You Learn From Your Dad As A Coach?
CB: Just everything, but his biggest lesson to me from day one was to work hard. Stay focused on the grind and don't take any days off. That is what I have been doing since I was young.
How Has The Adjustment Been From High School So Far In Practice?
CB: It is about hard work. I think it took me a little to get acclimated to college and playing this game at this level with how big and strong everyone is. I think I am settling in now and coach has me working extra every day after practice. It is just day by day, just chipping away and getting better. Coming here a little undersized, I know I need to find a way to make myself a better player.
Do You Have A Chip On Your Shoulder Being A Walk-On?
CB: I do have a chip being that I feel I was overlooked coming out of high school, but I am here now and look forward to practice every day and working hard and learning from a great coaching staff and all these upperclassmen. I like being on this team.
What Is Caileb Brown's Game?
CB: I can make shots and handle the ball and I try and play smart out there. I feel I have a good basketball IQ. I take pride in knowing the game and that comes from my dad. I just want to help this team.
Why Did You Choose Detroit Mercy?
CB: Getting a chance to play for a coach like coach Davis is great. I have always wanted to play for a legendary coach and a coach who knows the game. He has coached in the national championship, he has built programs and I am just excited to get that opportunity to play for him.
What Is Your Major And What Are You Looking To Do After College?
CB: I am a business major, but I am hoping to play after I graduate and then coach.
How Hard Has Practice Been During The Pandemic?
CB: Coming in, a lot of us didn't know each other so we needed to work on that and now we are really cool with each other and we're a team. We have been working so hard as a team and I think we have been having our best practices lately. It was really hard to hear the news about the games being canceled in Kentucky. We keep practicing hard and I think we have really adjusted to everything and are looking forward to going out there and playing on Friday.
