By: By Joseph Feldman
Former point guard Yonel Brown played professionally last season in Cyprus and Macedonia. He sat down with KSUOwls.com to catch everyone up on his first year living and playing over in Europe.
I know you started with one team and ended up on a different team by the end of the season. Where are you playing now and how did that transition happen?
I started off playing in Cyprus where I was for about 2 months. There, I had a small injury that kept me off the court for about two weeks. Following the injury, I was released. Fortunately, the team allowed me to stay in Cyprus for an extra 10 days, so during that time I looked for other jobs. I actually spoke with a previous KSU coach, David Rivers, a lot about my career moving forward. He was able to give me some advice and point me in the right direction. I had a teammate in Cyprus that I was good friends with. He was able to contact the president of his previous team. One thing led to another, and I landed another job in Macedonia where I finished my rookie year.
How was your first season over in Europe?
My first season went well as I was immediately placed into a big role with my second team. Actually, I logged 42 minutes in my first game in Macedonia in an overtime win. Lead my team to the Balkan League finals versus a very good Bulgarian team and also the semi-finals of the domestic league, losing to an ABA League team, MZT Skopje.
What was the biggest adjustment that you had to make with your game from college to the pros?
The game in Europe was a lot slower than college, which gave me an advantage. However, it was still an adjustment I had to make. So I would say knowing when to play fast was the biggest part of the game I had to adjust to.
How did Coach Skinner and his staff prepare you for professional basketball?
Coach Skinner and the rest of the staff at KSU prepared me by teaching me how to lead guys who are just as talented or better by setting a solid example. At the professional level, everyone is talented. You separate yourself when you can lead even in that atmosphere.
What are your goals moving forward with your basketball career?
Moving forward, I want to continue to establish myself as a legitimate point guard at the pro level as well as establishing myself as a winner. I would also like to continue to play in better and better leagues in Europe, taking baby steps to my ideal destination.
What's your favorite part about living in Europe?
My favorite part about living in Europe is being able to see a variety of different cultures and actually be a part of it. Picking up on the language, eating the food, adjusting to their style of living are all a part of the experience and I can't wait to do it all over again in a new country for the 2017-18 season.*
*Brown is currently in talks with other teams for the 2017-18 season in Europe.
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