Brown Dies of Cancer at Age 51
Oct 09, 2002 | Men's Basketball
October 09, 2002
Mario Brown, the first African-American basketball player at Texas A&M, died of cancer last weekend in his hometown of Chicago. He was 51.
Brown transferred to A&M in 1971 from Chicago's Kennedy-King Junior College and started in all 51 games in which he played in his two-year career, averaging 14.0 points and 4.3 assists per game.
As a junior in 1971-72, Brown earned second-team All-Southwest Conference honors after averaging 14.6 points and leading the team with 4.6 assists per game. In SWC play, he led the team with a 16.9 scoring average as the Aggies finished 16-10 overall and placed third in the SWC with a 9-5 mark. He was named to the all-tournament team at the Presidential Classic in Washington, D.C.
As a senior in 1972-73, Brown was selected as team co-captain and led the team to a 17-9 record and a second-place SWC finish at 9-5, averaging 13.4 points and 4.0 assists per game.
At Chicago's Parker High School, Brown was named the team's most valuable player as a senior and earned all-district honors. He also played baseball and was elected president of the student council.
Brown is survived by his wife, Myrtle, and several children. He was born on August 20, 1951 in Chicago.
Funeral services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. Wallace Funeral Home (2020 West Roosevelt, Broadview, Ill. 60155) is handling arrangements. Viewing will be on Friday from 2-9 p.m. at the Wallace Funeral Home chapel.
