Parrish Brown is a 31 year old 185cm guard from Chicago Illinois playing his eighth professional season and first with Petrolina AEK Larnaca (Cyprus-Division A) after starting the season with KTP Basket Kotka (Finland-Korisliiga). He started his basketball career at Kennedy King community college and then played two years at Maryland (NCAA) from 2006-2008 playing a total of 60 NCAA games. He started his professional basketball career in 2008 in Germany with BG Suedpark Bochum (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 10 games: 26.8ppg. He then played in Mexico from 2008-2010 with Potros ITSON. He then played in Lithuania from 2011-2014 and then also gained experience in Georgia and last season played with MAFC Budapest (Hungary-A Division) playing 18 games averaging 18.3ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 75.0%. He spoke to German Hoops during the Eurocup playoff series against the Fraport Skyliners.

 

 

 

Parrish thanks for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. You played your rookie season in Germany with BG Suedpark Bochum (Germany-Regionalliga). How thankful are you to have gotten your professional start in Germany?

You’re welcome. I am very thankful to have gotten the opportunity to start my career in Germany. It was a great experience with great people and I’ll never forget it.

Over the years you have played in Mexico, Lithuania, Hungry, Georgia and Finland. Did you ever make it back to Germany to visit? Do you have any ties still to Germany?

Actually I haven’t had time to come back to Germany only when I’m traveling to other countries. This is my first time back since playing for Bochum.

You have played in many countries and seen many different levels of basketball as well as cultures. What experience have you cherished most so far in your career?

I cherish each experience differently. I learned and experienced something in each country I have played in and met some wonderful people.

Your 31 years old and time is running out for you to win your first professional title. How hungry are you to get that first title this season as you have.

Haha yeah time is ticking. I’m very hungry to get this title this season. I think we have a great opportunity to do that here in Cyprus with AEK.

AEK currently is in first place with a record of 11-2 tied with Kernavos. What has been the secret to the success of the team?

We have here at AEK are a great group of guys with a lot of experience and we have a great coaching staff that prepares us how to play against our opponents. And we all have the same goal which is we want to win.

The club has 8 players 30 or older. How vital has the experience factor been for the team where you are right in the middle of it?

The experience is a great factor. Everyone understands the game and know how to play the game so it makes it easier to prepare for games.

In the last round of Europe Cup the team had a 3-3 record, but could easily have been 5-1. How bitter was losing the last 2 games by a combined total of 4 points?

Losing the last two games of the last round of FIBA was bitter in that we had opportunities to win the games and finish with a better record but unfortunately we couldn’t win those games but was still able to advance so we just learn from those mistakes in those games and try to do better this round.

Is AEK Larnaca a better team than what it´s record shows in Europe Cup play?

Yes I think AEK is a better team than what our Europe Cup record shows

What exactly is your role on the team. On a team that has many scoring options you are averaging 9,7ppg in the country league and 7,7ppg in Europe Cup play?

My role on the team is to control the game. Make sure the ball goes to the right person at the right time. To bring aggressiveness on both offense and defense.

How much of a thrill has it been playing with California native Brandon Bowman? Have you ever played with a guy that worked harder than him?

Bo is a great teammate, a hard-worker and a great person.

You now face the best team in Europe Cup play with the Fraport Skyliners who are 12-0. Do you see it as an advantage going in as the underdog as you have nothing to lose or will you have a different focus going in?

I don’t see it as an advantage or disadvantage. We’re just going go out there and play our game the way we have been playing.

The Fraport Skyliners are all about team and totally unselfish and defend very well. AEK also defend well in Europe cup. What kind of series can we await and what will be key to advancing?

Yes both clubs are tough defensively I guess we’ll have to wait and see the outcome of the series.

You played 2.5 seasons in Lithuania. What one experience will you never forget where you could clearly see how much this country lives for basketball?

One experience I would never forget about Lithuania is how passionate the fans are for basketball in that country. They’re really die hard fans.

What was your wake up call to being a rookie in 2007 when you were in Germany where you knew that you were very far away from home?

Make wake up call was when I first landed and I didn’t understand a word that was being said. I thought to myself you’re a long way from Chicago.

After your rookie season you went to Potros ITSON (Mexico-LNBP) for two years. Why did you make this move? Usually guys with strong Regio stats make the jump to a higher level in Germany. Did your good production give you added confidence going back to Europe?

To be honest I’m not sure. If I could do it over again I would have chose to come back and play in Germany at a higher level.

You played two seasons at Maryland(NCAA) and played with many talented guys like DJ Strawberry, Ekene Ibekwe, James Gist, Nik Caner-Medley or Grevis Vazquez. Why didn´t the team do damage in the NCAA then?

My senior year we lost in the second round of the tournament to a talented Butler team. We had high expectations to go far but unfortunately things didn’t go that way.

Which teammate had the biggest inspiration on you in your two seasons there? Possibly one of these guys with DJ Strawberry, Ekene Ibekwe, James Gist, Nik Caner-Medley or Grevis Vazquez?

Me and DJ was pretty close my two years at Maryland but I valued all those guys they helped me and showed me a lot my two years at Maryland.

Who was the best player that you battled head to head that made it to the NBA?

There are a lot of good players I have played against that made it to the NBA a few of them were my own teammates.

What is the state of Lebron James in 2016? When all is said and done will he be mentioned in the same breath as Michael Jordan?

To me Lebron is the best player in the NBA at the moment. He can dominate the game in many ways. No I don’t think Lebron and Jordan will be mentioned in the same breath. Jordan had that killer instinct and I don’t think Lebron will ever have.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Ride along 2

 

Thanks Parrish for the chat.