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GREENVILLE, S.C. – Mike Brown, a veteran of 11 NBA seasons as a player and two seasons as an assistant coach in the NBA’s National Basketball Development League, has been named head coach of the Fayetteville Patriots. Brown replaces Jeff Capel, who recently took a position as an assistant coach for the Charlotte Bobcats.

Brown has been an assistant to Dazzle head coach Kent Davison the last two years, and the two led Roanoke to an NBDL postseason berth in 2002-03. His first coaching work came as an assistant for the ABA’s Las Vegas Slam during the 2001-02 season.

“This is a super opportunity to have the chance to be the head coach of the Fayetteville Patriots,” Brown said. “I learned an awful lot working with (Roanoke head coach) Kent Davison for the last two seasons and I am looking forward to putting together a competitive team in Fayetteville.”

Brown, a Newark, N.J. native, played in 626 NBA games for the Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns from 1986-87 through 1996-97, primarily as a backup known for his professional smarts and blue-collar work ethic.

"Mike was a long-time NBA player who could be characterized as a winner, possessing a very strong work ethic. He has exhibited those same qualities as an assistant in the NBDL,” NBA Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Stu Jackson said. “He will undoubtedly be a great asset as head coach for the Fayetteville Patriots, their fans and the community as a whole."

Brown, 39, who averaged 5.0 points and 4.4 rebounds in his NBA career, was a third-round pick in the 1985 NBA Draft (69th overall) by the Bulls. Brown went from Scott High School in East Orange, N.J. to star collegiately at George Washington, where he ranks second in career scoring (1,916) and rebounding (1,066) and completed his degree in criminal justice in three-and-a-half years.

“We are very fortunate to have Mike Brown as the head coach of the Fayetteville Patriots,” NBDL director of basketball operations Chris Alpert said. “His experience as an NBA player, as well as his experience as an assistant coach in our league, will serve him well in his new position.”

Known for his rebounding and defensive ability in the low post, Brown began his pro career in Milan, Italy in 1985-86 for Aurora Desio, before reaching the NBA the following season with Chicago. He spent two years as a Chicago backup, then was selected by Charlotte Hornets in the 1988 NBA Expansion Draft, but was dealt by the Hornets later on draft day to Utah for forward Kelly Tripucka.

Brown played every regular-season game for Utah in four of his five seasons with the Jazz (1988-89 through 1992-93), where he was a teammate of Columbus Riverdragons head coach Jeff Malone. In 1991-92, Brown had his best offensive regular season, averaging 7.7 points for a Utah club that reached the Western Conference Finals.

Brown, who made 112 NBA regular-season starts and played in 44 NBA playoff games, was dealt in June 1993 to Minnesota for center Felton Spencer, then spent two seasons with the Timberwolves before finishing his NBA career with the 76ers and Suns and shuttling between Europe and the NBA. He played in Italy for most of three seasons, then finished his playing career in Spain from 1998-99 through 2000-01.

As a collegiate player, he led the Atlantic 10 Conference in rebounding three straight seasons (1982-83 through 1984-85) and was a three-time All-Atlantic 10 selection. Brown is a 1994 inductee of the GW Athletic Hall of Fame, and was named to the Colonials’ All-Century Basketball Team, which also includes NBA coaching legend Red Auerbach.