ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) –Chad Brown has been Mr. Energy for the UCF men’s basketball program for the last four years. The senior has played an integral role in igniting the Knights’ success in 2018-19, leading UCF to its first at-large berth in program history.
Brown is happy to see his hard work and the hard work of his teammates pay off.
“It’s like a dream come true. It’s a blessing,” he said. “To work so hard these four years and to see it pay off in my last year, going to the NCAA Tournament, and having a chance to play for a national championship, it’s a blessing. I’m just excited for the opportunity.”
Since head coach Johnny Dawkins got to town, Brown has been a solid contributor off the bench for the Knights, averaging 4.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, while blocking 92 shots. He never had any statistical goals though. Brown has always been team-oriented.
“When I first came here that was the biggest thing. I wanted to play in March Madness,” he said. “Growing up as a kid, you watch all the teams in March Madness, you dream of that. When I came here that was my goal, to get to the NCAA Tournament.”
And now his Knights are there. UCF is playing in its first NCAA Tournament since 2005 and are in for the first time since leaving the Atlantic Sun the following season in 2005-06.
Brown, a senior, is happy to share the experience with his senior teammates and friends who have been with him all four years, Tacko Fall and BJ Taylor.
“We all came in around the same time and we’ve wanted to go out like this,” Brown said. “We had a goal to compete for championships and we have an opportunity to do it. For us three to be able to do it in our last year, it’s great.”
There’s one extra factor that makes this moment a bit more special for Brown and his family. His twin sister, Chasimmie Brown, plays at nearby Bethune-Cookman, and for the first time in that program’s history they made the Women’s NCAA Tournament.
The twins are both going to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the same season.
“It’s really a blessing,” Brown said. “As kids we watched games together. We both talked about wanting to play in the NCAA Tournament one day. She never got to it until this year as well. I’m happy for her and I know mom is proud. She pushed us every day and for us to both be in the tournament I know it puts a smile on her face.”
As the man who seemingly always has a smile on his own face, it’s not surprising to hear he’s happy that his mom is smiling as well.
Chad Brown and the Knights will turn those smiles into game faces for Friday night when UCF takes on VCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at 9:40 p.m. on CBS.