GOAG *Exclusive* with First Round Draft Pick Marshon Brooks
It's a brisk afternoon in the Miami skylight and former All American Marshon Brooks is taking time out of his daily workout regimen to meet up with his agent Seth Cohen. The two are gearing up for Seth's son, Jordan Cohen's, Bar Mitzvah where the 25th overall NBA draft pick is set to make an appearance. Lending time and compassion to the younger generation is nothing out of the normal for Marshon. The former Providence Friar is fresh off a 3 day stint in Asbury Park, NJ where he conducted the inaugural Marshon Brooks Basketball Camp for kids in the same area he's from originally.
This was the conclusion of a busy summer where Brooks (who averaged 24.6 pts and 7 rebs in his senior year at Providence) has also made a few appearances at charity basketball games, scoring 48 points in one. Before heading to the Bar Mitzvah, Marshon took some time to sit down with Go Avant-Garde and talk about giving back, playing overseas, the NBA lockout and NBA 2k!
GOAG: How are you enjoying your time down in Miami?
Marshon: Everything is cool man. Just got a chance to hang out with the fellas a little bit, just finished up a workout and now getting ready for Jordan's birthday.
GOAG: Marshon, we know about your stellar, All American career at Providence. Especially in your senior year where you lead your team in scoring and rebounding averaging 24.6 and 7 respectively. We saw you drafted as the 25th overall pick to the Boston Celtics in this years draft, ultimately ending up in New Jersey to play for the Nets. What does it mean for you now to be back home in NJ, where it all started, playing for the Nets?
Marshon: It was really a great feeling. When I look back at how we just finished up the camp for the kids in Long Branch and Asbury Park, where I'm from, it truly is a great feeling to be back here. I haven't played in NJ yet but I'm really just looking forward to playing in front of my family and friends before we (the Nets) move on to Brooklyn.
GOAG: So the camp turned out pretty good?
Marshon: Yes the camp was excellent. It was the inaugural Marshon Brooks Basketball Camp for kids.
GOAG: That's great to hear man; we're honored to feature you on GoAvantGarde.com because of the leisure activities and ventures you're into off the court. It seems like you've been up to a lot lately. What are some of the interests in your life when you're not putting up double-doubles on the court?
Marshon: To be honest, I'm a real laid back, simple kind of guy. When I'm not in the gym I really enjoy playing a lot of NBA 2K, I love going to the movies and watching other sports on TV. I'll also head back to Providence to check on a few friends from time-to-time as well.
GOAG: Well I definitely can't argue against any of that. With the lockout being the big news all off-season and currently in the NBA, what are you seeing from guys now with all this idle time on their hands?
Marshon: Well, speaking for myself, I 'm currently in school finishing up my degree. I have about 2 more classes left to complete everything so I haven't really been around a lot of other players. From what I've seen from a distance, a lot of guys are getting together and playing in various charity games, which is what a lot of veterans tend to do and is a good thing. I just wanted to make sure I was able to finish my degree and be ready for preseason whenever it starts.
GOAG: That's excellent to see nowadays when young players such as yourself decide to do that. We see a big trend right now of NBA players entertaining the idea of playing overseas during the lockout, even from your new teammate Deron Williams. What are your thoughts on that?
Marshon: I actually think it's a good idea. I think it's a really good idea if you're somebody who's established in the league. For somebody such as myself, being a first-round pick and still not signed yet, it's definitely a chance you take in going over seas because anything can happen with this sport. But as far as the guys who are established and the veterans in this league, I strongly support that 100%. Being that basketball is our life and our livelihood, I can definitely see why you would want to keep playing competitively. I mean, honestly I don't know what I would do if the lockout were to persist through January. Ever since I was 5 years old, there hasn't been a time when I wasn't playing basketball. I'm very blessed and fortunate to be a first round pick so I'm just going to wait it out, hope for the best and I'm sure they'll work something out.
GOAG: So have you ever been overseas to play any exhibition games before, or even just for a vacation?
Marshon: I've played outside of the States before. I've played in the Bahamas. Also, every college takes a trip abroad. Unfortunately, I missed the opportunity my freshman year because freshmen weren't allowed at the time. Of course, just my luck, they changed that rule once I left and now freshmen are eligible (he says jokingly).
GOAG: What can we expect from Marshon Brooks both on and off the court this year, God willing there's an NBA season?
Marshon: Off the court you can expect me to keep my nose clean, stay out of trouble and try to make a difference in the lives of the kids who live around my hometown and all throughout NJ. Things are kind of rough right now in the area I'm from so I'm in a unique situation where I can really make a difference for the better in my home state. I can be around the kids and let them know that I'm a regular human being just like they are and if I can do it then so can they. On the court, you can expect me to do what I do. Do what ever it is I'm asked to do and what my team needs me to do and try to score the ball.
GOAG: Can't wait to see that this season. Enjoy Miami while you still can!
-EJ
