
It was a long wait and grind for Robert Brown (203-F-1998, college: TxWes) between his last NAIA gig in 2023 with Texas Wesleyan University and his current team German Regionalliga team Aschaffenburg Baskets and now he is finally living the dream overseas, but there is only one problem. The team season and his game just isn´t where he wants it to be yet. As a pro player, you always want to have that perfect balance between winning and giving great support with one´s game, but so far he isn´t on par yet. The Aschaffenburg Baskets started 2-6 and have been up and down since game 1 and he is still finding his game overseas.
“We are in a slump as of now but we are sticking together through the season trying to figure out how to have a good season”, said Robert Brown.
The team began slow with a 4 game losing streak. The club that plays in beautiful Bavaria lost a few tight games and then 2 games by more than double figures. Was this just a phase where the team was trying to find themselves?
“Yes that´s correct. We are currently trying to find our identity as a team but every day we are building up good habits”, warned Robert Brown.
But that basketball is a game of runs is seen in every game and it isn´t any different with team seasons. Unless your Science City 2 who are still unbeaten right now and the team to beat in the Regionalliga South-East North. Clubs are always having ups and downs during the season. After starting with a brutal 4 game losing streak, the Aschaffenburg Baskets went on a strong 2 game winning streak beating Breitengussbach and Gotha. The team were doing it better at both ends.
“We were sharing the ball more and taking pride in defense. I believe we know we are good we just got to be consistent with it once we start back winning”, stressed Robert Brown.
However the club couldn´t keep the momentum and currently are on a 2 game losing streak having lost to Veitshochheim and Dresden. The defense allowed 91 points on average. The season is still young, but the team needs to find out ways to clean up their defense.
“I think communication and defensive situational at times but we are figuring it out as we speak”, added Robert Brown.
Brown who sampled valuable experience in the NCAA at Iona and New Mexico State University and at Iona played for coaching legend Rick Pitino is a rookie overseas and as hungry as can be. His self-confidence in the abilities of his team aren´t wanning either, but going in a very positive direction.
“ I still have hope and believe we can still turn things around it’s a long season and anything can happen”, warned Robert Brown.
In the NCAA at Iona and New Mexico State University, he wasn´t a force with his game simply because he didn´t get a real chance to showcase his real skills. That changed as soon as he got Texas Wesleyan University (NAIA) where he averaged 8.1ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 54.0%, FT: 62.5%. At the moment, he is averaging similar stats to that last NAIA season with 8/5. He knows that he has the abilities to raise his game.
“I’m trying to find more ways to be productive I’m not happy with the way I´m playing right now because I know I can be better and help the team but like I said we have a long season I’m building confidence game by game”, commented Robert Brown.
Every player has to adjust to the grind overseas on and off the court. Every baller has their own way of dealing with it. He knows that everyday is a new day and he is taking it step by step.
“I’ve been adjusting day by day it’s been a battle but I’m learning to keep the same confidence everyday it’s definitely a learning experience and what to expect on playing overseas”, expressed Robert Brown.
He also knows that he still has so much more that his game can offer to the Aschaffenburg Baskets and he is doing all he can in his vast free time to tweak all parts of his game.
“I’m working more so on my midrange confidence in shooting the 3 ball more and just being more active when it comes to the opportunity on scoring being more aggressive on that end”, warned Robert Brown.
Despite the early season woes with the record of the team, he has taken some positives from the season.
My favorite moment of the season so far was our first win of the season and my favorite own basket was the pick and pop from the top of the key I had 2 weekends ago”. Smiled Robert Brown.
He is really geared up for the upcoming game this weekend, because it will be revenge time for him and the Aschaffenburg Baskets. Science City Jena will be in Aschaffenburg for the return game. Jena tore apart the Aschaffenburg Baskets in Jena 107-79 and it was in this game where he battled his toughest opponent so far this season. He was so focused that game that he didn´t even recall whatthe player´s name was, but he definitely remembered him from somewhere else.
“The toughest player that I have faced so far this season was a guard he’s very good. He’s a very good point guard. I played against him in college my last year in college”, said Robert Brown.
I will help Robert Brown by revealing his name as D´Monte Brown. He battled Brown twice in the NAIA as he was with Langston. OK and lost both games. The interesting thing is that there was another current Regionalliga player on that team with Brown with Toru Dean currently tearing upo the league with Bargteheide leading the league in assists and fourth in steals. Wouldn´t it be a delight if Robert Brown could find that balance between a big win at home and monster game against Jena who are still undefeated. A win could be the turning point of the season that the Aschaffenburg Baskets and Brown so dearly need right now.