Gabe Brown (201-F-2000, college: Michigan St.) is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Belleville, Michigan that played his second professional season and first overseas with Itelyum Varese (Italy-Serie A) averaging 11.8ppg, 5.4rpg, FGP: 64.2%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 81.6%; and in the FIBA Europe Cup averaged 14.3ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 58.9%, 3PT: 45.0%, FT: 80.0%. Last season he played his rookie season with the Raptors 905 Missisauga (NBA G League) averaging 12.2ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 92.1%. He played 2 NBA Summer Leagues in 2022 and 2023 with the Oklahoma City Thunder averaging 11.0ppg, 3.5rpg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 37.0% and with the Phoenix Suns (NBA Summer League averaging 8.2ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.0spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 20.0%. He began his basketball career at Belleville high school and then played 4 years at Michigan State University (NCAA)playing 124 games and as a senior averaged 11.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 89.4%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Gabe for talking to germanhoops.com. Your played your first season with Itelyum Varese) (Italy-Serie A). What kind of experience was Italian life been on and off the court? Was it a culture shock coming from the Toronto area to Italy?

It was definitely a new experience for me. This was my first time being overseas and I can say in the beginning it was hard for me to adjust to culture and the language barrier but now that I have grown accustomed to everything it´s been very fun to be over here and truly do enjoy it. On the court it was a little different but for the most part it’s just basketball and more competitive which I love. It’s kind of like playing in college all over again in some ways.

What do you feel was your wake up call to being overseas for the first time where you knew that you were far away from home?

I would have to say the cars. The cars are super tiny over here and I would say the food as well.

Varese has had it´s ups and downs in the Serie A and Fiba Champions League and fluculations with the roster. The season was tough, but stat wise your playing very well. How were you able to deal with team adversary mentally?

Yes, I was just locked in on to getting better everyday. Of course you have ups and downs throughout the season but who doesn’t? It’s all about how you persevere through everything and I feel now we are getting on the right track and trying to make a playoff push. Mentally I just have been focused on myself and not worrying about outside noise and staying focused on what I want to accomplish.

On the court you needed no adjustment time coming from the G-League. What do you feel was key for you being able to adapt so quickly to euroball?

I really just think it was confidence. I’ve always had confidence in myself and always been a person that focuses on my work and my work only to get better. At the end of the day it’s basketball. It’s a little different in terms of rules and spacing of the floor and the competitiveness but it’s still basketball and I just try to compete every day and get better.

What is exactly was your role on the team? You have shown that you can score and rebound the ball efficiently. Has it been a challenge sharing the ball as a team when there are so many that like to have the ball in their hands?

My role was a 3-D guy on this team. That’s what this team’s needs out of me and I’m just trying to take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to me. And no it has not been a challenge. We have a team full of talented players so when its someone night it’s just someones night but I try to do my best of playing my role and being consistent at my role.

What was it like being teammates with 8 year NBA player Willie Cauley-Stein? What kind of aura did he transform and what did you appreciate most from his game?

Being teammates with Willie is very fun. More so of a lot of teaching moments that he brings to the team with his experience. Even though he is a first year player overseas he does a great job of doing his role. I just try to pick his brain when it comes to the NBA because that’s where I want to get back to.

How vital has a guy like James Young been for your game overseas? I can imagine the daily battles in practice have been intense?

Me and James are both from Michigan so we have a good relationship from just being from the state. It’s good to have him on the team because he’s a vet too as well that played in the league too so I try to pick his brain as well and ask questions too. Yea we had our battles in practice for sure!

What were your first year overseas goals as a player concerning your game? How vital was rebounding and the three point shooting for your game as you continue to grow as a professional player?

My first year goal over here was to just continue to be consistent and consistent to be consistent with my craft. Not to try to put pressure on myself and go out every game and play hard as I can and get wins. Rebounding and shooting is very vital in this league and for myself because it puts you as a primary guy on teams scouting reports and it shows up that you can effect the game in other ways.

You had a solid NBA Summer League) with Phoenix averaging 8.2ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.0spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 20.0% After a season in the G-League was Europe just a stepping stone to get back or are you fully concentrating on a career overseas?

I definitely want to get back to the NBA and that is my goal but, I’m not putting pressure on myself to get back there. When it’s time god will make sure it’s the right time. As of right now I’m enjoying playing overseas ball and playing competitive basketball everyday so, there is no time limit as of right now but, the NBA is still plan A.

You played your rookie season with the Raptors 905 Missisauga 8 (NBA G League) averaging 12.2ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 92.1%. You were as consistent as you could be with everyone else playing for their stats. What was missing from an NBA call up? Higher scoring average?

I don’t think anything was missing, I think maybe it wasn’t the right time for a call up for me. It’s so hard to get a call up in the NBA especially playing in the g-league and when I was there, there weren’t as many call ups that year as in total so, maybe it wasn’t the right time for me as well but, like I said the work will show in the end.

What kind of advice did a guy like veteran Sterling Brown give you? He also came overseas this season for first time joining German team Alba Berlin. Did a guy´s journey like his show you that anything is possible in the NBA from being a NBA player for many years and then landing in the G-League?

Yea my guy Sterling is a real one. We competed every single day when he was there. I used him as a tool mentally by asking questions and picking his brain because he played in the league for a long time. It’s not a surprise that anyone goes to the g-league in my opinion at this point because everyone is looking for a shot especially guys that have already played in the league.

How much of a grind is the G-League really? You can play 30 minutes 1 game, 16 minutes the next and 3 minutes the next time. How much of a toll can the whole experience leave on a player?

Man it’s tough definitely when you’re just a straight g-league guy because it´s so up and down and with the two way contact most guys play in the g-league the whole year so you just never know if you’ll get any playing time that’s why the work and the focus is so important because you can lose yourself mentally in the g-league

You played at Michigan State (NCAA) from 2018-2022 and reached the Final 4 as a freshman as you only averaged only 8,0mpg. How crazy was that run and what do you remember from the 1 point win over Duke?

Man that was a hell of a time to play for that team. What is crazy is we were talking about that game the whole year if we were going to play them and for it to happen on that big stage with run we had was incredible.

You had an incredible 15 points in 16 minutes in the win over LSU. Was that one of your break out games in the NCAA?

Yea that was really the start of my career and MSU.

What memories do you have of matching up against a guy like Xavier Tillman. What did you appreciate most from his game and how did you profit from his game?

I never really matched up with him in practice like that because he was a 5 man but one thing i can say about X is that he a worker. He works his ass off man. Especially with the great family that he has. He’s always in the gym. He’s a great dude as well too.

You were able to improve your scoring average each season and as a senior averaged 11.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 89.4%. How did your game grow senior year?

It grown a lot and it wasn’t from just a physical standpoint it was more mentally. I was just more focused on myself and the game and not putting pressure on myself and staying locked in to what I wanted to achieve. I know it wasn’t the best year as a senior guy that has came through state. But the work I put in can’t nobody take that away from me.

In your last NCAA game you lost to Duke scoring 18 points while Paulo Banchero had 19 points. How do you remember that game and what do you remember from your head to head battles with him?

Very very interesting and tough game. Duke has always been a tough game for us throughout my 4 years and that one was tough. Really a back and forth game but it was one for the ages for sure.

How did head coach Tom Izzo groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He never stopped believing in me and my work ethic. I think from a mental standpoint he prepared for anything on and off the court if something ever gets tough. He always pushed me to be my best and was always there for me.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Malik Hall?

lol I can’t even remember. We played a lot of 1v1 so I’m not sure lol.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your life on the court that reached the NBA?

Cassius Winston.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time.

lol I can’t do that. I had so many great teammates and every single one I still talk to this day so I will say everyone lol.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Mike, Lebron, Kobe, Allen Iverson

Who is your GOAT and why?

My goat would be my dad and my grandfather and my brother. Without them I probably wouldn’t even made it to this situation that I’m in.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

Yea lol.

Thanks Gabe for the chat.