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Show .THE Thursday, January 3 1 , 2008 DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE 10 Carlon Brown is worth the price of admission Tony Pizza SPORTS EDITOR In many ways, Runnin' Ute guard Carlon Brown is like any freshman at the U. He's had to learn how to do his own laundry, balance school and extra-curricular activities and to stay away from the dining area at the Heritage Center. He even forgets stuff from time to time. Recently against New Mexico, it was his shoes. Being a native of Riverside, Calif., Brown also had to adjust to Utah's winters, al- though he's not sure he'll ever fully accept them. "The snow is the devil, that's all I got to say," Brown said. "I hate the snow, I hate it." Brown has also had to make the adjustment to basketball at the collegiate level. Unlike his relationship with the white stuff that helps make Utah famous, his adaptation on the court is going quite well. "For a star guy out of high school—a big-time player— he's been very receptive to coaching," Utah head basket- STAFF POSITIONS ALSO AVAILABLE: STATION MANAGER TRAINEE WEBMASTER MARKETING (MOTOR CHIEF ANNOUNCER FOR , MORE J a ' c ^ Jake f or Assbtant General Manager CONTACT jaM^jaleh.ifelid.rcom jacokfawson@utakeJu ftJCQ Station Manger ball coach Jim Boylen said. That might have something to do with Brown's bright-eyed and down-to-earth demeanor. Or it could have something to do with the main reason Brown chose to recommit to Utah. Brown originally committed to former coach Ray Giacoletti. After Giacoletti resigned Brown ultimately decided to wait and see who the next coach was going to be. Despite getting looks from such schools as Cal, Virginia Tech, UConn and Washington State, Brown liked what he thought Boyleh could offer him. "Once it came down to coach Boylen and he came and visited me, I was pretty much sold on coming back," Brown said. "When I first met him, I was like 'whatever.1 As he talked more and more and showed me his resume, I was like, 'Wow.' He kind of won me over with that." Perhaps, what impressed Brown most was Boylen's experience coaching NBA players and helping get college players ready for the pros. Like any player trying to make the professional dream a reality, Brown has been pushed. He's also taken the pressure about as well as Boylen could have hoped. "I'm hard on my guys, and he's taking it well," Boylen said. "(Carlon) doesn't always like it—nobody ever does— but he's taking it well." Boylen isn't the only one pushing the freshman starter to become better. Senior captain Johnnie Bryant attests that all Brown's potential could one day be a reality if the former Riverside County Player of the Year continues to work hard. "He's going to be a guy that will be talked about in the draft," Bryant said. "I tell him that a lot. He just turned 18 in November, or something around there, so he's still young. He's got time to develop with coach. The sky's the limit for that kid." Growing up, Brown idolized No. 23 for the Chicago Bulls. As Michael Jordan retired and Kobe Bryant emerged, the Los Angeles Lakers' No. 8 gained most of Brown's attention. In fact, Brown's No. 15 is a tribute to his two basketball idols. "I took 23 and subtracted by eight," Brown said. One thing is for sure, Brown is quickly gaining the same reputation that put both Bryant and Jordan on the map early in their respective careers. Already in his young collegiate career, Brown has had some of the most amazing dunks witnessed by his teammates. His in-your-face dunk on Nov. 28 against Weber State is still talked about on the team. Brown still remembers how it all slowed down as he cut across the baseline and swooped in for the nasty dunk. "When I got up, it felt like I could see everything," Brown said. "I saw the guy go right past me, and I saw the whole turn. It was slowed down." If Brown was in a dunk contest, say against Bryant or Jordan, he said he'd have to go with the between the legs reverse dunk off the baseline. For those lacking conviction that Brown can actually pull off the dunk, he displayed similar skills during a high school game. The footage is still available on youtube.com. Brown's skills extend far beyond his ability to dunk a basketball. Given his 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame, he is a sur- p r 1singly good ball handler who thrives on slashing into the paint and feeding teammates. "In big games, when the lights are on, he's got that extra gear, that extra hop, that extra twinkle in his eye," Boylen said. "He's kind of a gamer. I like that about him." What Boylen is stressing to Brown the most is becoming the same kind of gamer on defense as well. "Where I've been very hard on (Brown) is the defensive end of the floor," Boylen said. "He has to learn our system. He has to learn how to be a defensive player. He is improving." Boylen expects those improvements to keep coming and one day expects Brown to be the same star in college that he was in high school, he said. "I expect him to keep developing and get better and better," Boylen said. "He's got great instincts, a great feel for the game, and he's not afraid to be great." Boylen is also not afraid to tease Brown. When asked why Brown wears his trademark skin-tight undershirt, Boylen replied, "I think he's scared of people Bate man's Moside Farms, 11 miles North of Efberta PO Box 119 Elberta, Utah 84626, due to growth of crops, is requesting agriculture workers to plan, cultivate and harvest alfalfa. Tasks: Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowets, hoes. Assist with the fencing such as setting of posts, wiring and re-wiring. Maintain facility's water supplies and outdoor housing. Clean ditches. The time period we are requesting is from 03/20/2008 to 01/20/2009. Rate is $8.64, 3/4 guaranteed. Tools, supplies & equipment provided no cost to worker. Transport to job site and housing will be provided without cost to workers who cannot reasonably return to their residence. Appfy for this job at the nearest Utah Depart' ment of Workforce Services office using Job Listing Number 860076. •• t - XTBEME F9QTBAU PARTY $ 2 5 ADMISSION INCLUDES FREE FOOD * FREE DRINKS * FREE PRIZES FEB 3 @2PM JAZZ TAKE 10TH HOME WIN continued from Page 9 with 23 points and eight rebounds while David Lee (14 points) and Jared Jeffries (10 points) were the only other Knicks to reach double digits. j.peterson@ chronicle.utah.edu .Volvo START THE NEW YEAR WITH A NEW LEASE XC70 AWD New 2008 Volvo rente seei n g h i s flab. That's why he wears the jersey. Tries to make himself look bigger and stronger than he really is." B r o w n brought the tradition of wearing the undershirt from his high school days. Once, against Missouri State, he tried playing without it, but he felt "naked," he said. He says if he ever does make it to the NBA, he'll take the fashion statement with him. As for now, Brown is content with working hard. With Brown's work ethic, Boylen has no doubt his freshman guard will improve into a superstar. For now, he's just thankful to have a guy like Brown on his team. "He's a great student," Boylen said. "He takes pride in his school work. He's a good teammate. People like him. He's got an engaging personality, and he's funny. He's just a good kid. He really is just a good kid." t.pizza@ chronicle.utah.edu New 2008 Volvo FOR TICKETS CRU 800-21-OASIS FOOD SPECIALS! * DRINK SPECIALS! FREE PRIZES! STKI1V8DB9 299 LEASE FOR New 2008 Volvo WITHLttTHEfl. SUXTOOF. HEATED IHTI. TOWtfl TMLMTI. PER MONTH FOR 48 MONTHS PUWDHJ HMOHS. K TUUffiWD. WHEEiS AND BORE! XC90 AWD summ LEASE FOR S 575 New 2008 Volvo PER MONTH FOR 36 MONTHS S40 2.4i LOUriGf] VIRGIN RIVER ! 7 PASSWM WITH UHTHEfl. KUTEO SCATS. 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