What can Brown do for you?
Junior forward provides depth off the bench for Dukes
By John Galle, sports editor
Posted on January 18, 2007

When the JMU women’s basketball team stalled out after a 24-win season last year as the Colonial Athletic Association’s runner-up, it was apparent that they could use more depth.

That was then.

Now, the Dukes have redshirt junior transfer Jennifer Brown, an energetic 6-foot-2 forward who started in the Big East for Pittsburgh, coming off the bench.

“She added to our program without taking anything away,” JMU coach Kenny Brooks said.

And with the Dukes returning all five starters from last year’s near-championship run, Brooks said Brown would just have to find her way.

And she was prepared to do just that.

Growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., Brown was one of 12 kids.

“It was basically like royal rumble every night,” Brown said. “Every night was a fight breaking out, but it was great because it made me tough and more social. I’m probably the most wild and outgoing person on the team just because of my family.”

When she wasn’t scrapping with siblings, Brown was competing with them outdoors.

“Every day we were playing football in the street or basketball with a crate nailed up against the wall outside,” Brown said.

Now, Brown has found herself with a new kind of family playing on JMU’s basketball team, which is roughly the same size as the one she left in New York — quantitatively speaking.

“I treat my team like they’re my family, [because] they are my family away from home,” Brown said. “We spend so much time together … and we play the same games my family plays, so it’s been great. I love [my teammates].”

Brown hopes she and other substitutes can contribute for JMU as the missing pieces to a championship puzzle. This season, Brown has shot 52 percent from the field (25-of-48) while averaging six rebounds and about 19 minutes per game.

“[Brown] came in the next game after I got injured and started for me,” senior forward Shirley McCall said. “She did a great job. She is a great forward because she has the height, the strength [and] has good moves under the basket.”

Brooks had his players list their goals for the season going into this year. On Brown’s list, she wrote that she wanted to help the team any way she could, whether it be starting or as a sixth man.

“I was sad because we lost [the CAA title last year],” Brown said. “But I was [also] really excited because everyone was coming back. I’m just really excited to be here.”

Brooks called her attitude “infectious” and one without ego. Brown’s presence in Harrisonburg has infused Madison with energy on the hardwood with the quality minutes she’s given in games.

“There have been a lot of games where I’ve been sitting down more,” McCall said. “So when I do come into the game, I’m more rested and have more energy to get out there and play.”

Team chemistry and the change in atmosphere can be added to the list of non-issues for Brown. She is the fifth New York native on the Dukes roster and played basketball with or against a number of her teammates prior to college, including senior guard Lesley Dickinson and sophomore forward Kisha Stokes.

Brown also welcomes the change of scenery and the competitive edge of the CAA, while citing her two-year experience at Pittsburgh as an advantage.

“It’s been big, because you play against the best players in the world in the Big East,” Brown said. “Every night teams are hard, but coming up to the CAA I think every team has the same mentality. I think even here they are hungrier, because people haven’t heard of the CAA as much.”

The undefeated Dukes (5-0) are off to another hot start in conference, which includes a 19-game home-winning streak dating back to last season.

Off the court, and at times in practice, Brown said she is all about having fun and smiling a lot.

“I’m probably the most wild and outgoing person on the team,” Brown said. “Sometimes I can take it too far, but Coach Brooks is good at keeping me on track.”

However, when Brown puts on her trademark protective eyewear and that JMU jersey, it’s all about getting it done on the court as a team.

“We’re just excited and can’t wait to play,” Brown said about the games ahead.

The Dukes take on Drexel tonight in the Convocation Center at 7 p.m. and will have their home rematch against rival ODU  Feb 1.