By Patrick Stumpf
Anthony Brown and Avery Brown's situation at Green Bay is unique. Not only are the twins starting their undergraduate careers together, but they are also doing the same on the basketball court, as freshman guards on the Phoenix men's basketball team.
Assistant AD of Compliance and Student Welfare Mike Kline and Facilities Manager Tim Helein, two of the longest tenured faculty in the Green Bay Athletic Department, can only recall one other set of twins to ever play for either of the Phoenix basketball programs.
That was Jerry and Sherm Carstensen back in 1996-97 under former head coach Mike Heideman. Under different circumstances; however, the Brown brothers' path to Green Bay may have never come to fruition.
As former standouts for Class 6A Lake Minneola in Minneola, Florida, located about 30 minutes west of Orlando, the brothers played their high school basketball one hour from first-year Phoenix head coach Linc Darner, who at the time was at Florida Southern.
It was proximity that allowed Darner to establish initial rapport with the guards, who were making quite the name for themselves at the Class 6A level.
“The first time we saw them they came to our team camp with their high school going into their sophomore years,” said Darner. “I was very familiar with them, I had seen them play a lot and talked to their high-school coach (Freddie Cole).”
Anthony averaged team-highs in points (20.9), rebounds (7.0) and assists (5.3) as a senior and was named Class 6A Player of the Year by the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches.
Avery was equally key to the Hawks' No. 1 state ranking for the majority of the 2014-15 season, averaging 18.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Both earned All-State honors each of the last two years, which included a combined 52-9 record and a 2014 state runner-up finish.
“I communicated with Freddie that if they didn't get what they wanted together at the Division I level, Florida Southern (Division II) would love to have them."
After being named the next head coach at Green Bay on April 14, Darner's plan remained unchanged.
“Once I got the job here, I got in touch with the coach again I asked would they be interested? He texted back 'yes,' and then I just started talking to both of them.”
The Brown's committed soon after, together, less than a month later on May 6.
“I chose Green Bay because I think the coaching style best fit me and my brother's play style,” said Anthony, the elder of the twins who were born within the same minute.
“After a few practices, everyone is starting to get the hang of the scheme, and I like how the coaches do a lot of stopping and teaching. Especially with me playing point guard, he constantly gives me pointers and advice on how to get things done.”
Avery's comfort level at the Division 1 level has been relatively seamless thus far as well.
“I really bought into coach Darner's style of play and so far it's been a smooth transition,” said Avery. “Our relationship has grown since I first came here. He does a great job motivating and encouraging.”
Before the season began on Oct. 31 with an exhibition against UW-Stout, Darner said it was not out of the realm of possibility to see them on the floor together. Since then, it's happened on more than a few occasions.
“Really they're not the same position, and we can play them together,” he said. “Anthony being a guy to help handle the ball for us, running the offense and making sure we get good shots. Both have really improved their shooting, but Avery's improved his where he's knocking down threes now and can play the other guard position.”
Regardless of their roles this season, both Anthony and Avery will find solace in that they will always have someone else to talk to. Besides themselves, they'll have their older brother Robert, too, who they view as one of their biggest role models.
“My brother played a huge role in me choosing Green Bay,” said Anthony. “Everything I will ever encounter in college basketball he's been there and has advice for.”
The eldest Brown, Robert, is also a Division I talent. He began his collegiate career at Virginia Tech, before transferring to UAB. After sitting out one year, he led the Blazers in scoring (13.7 ppg) as a redshirt junior and into the NCAA Tournament as the field's youngest team. He scored a team-high 21 points in the 14th seed UAB's upset of No. 3 Iowa State, 60-59, and poured in 25 points in the round-of-32 against UCLA.
His recent success at a mid-major school in Conference USA has proven to younger Anthony and Avery that they can do the same thing in the Horizon League.
“It's very helpful having him,” said Avery. “He is someone I can always go to with questions and for advice when comes to playing at a high level. Seeing his achievements is an inspiration. It keeps me motivated.”
Before making their final college choice, Robert posed one question to his brothers that proved to trump the rest.
“He told us to make our decision strictly on what coaches I would want to play four years for.”
Four years of scouting and one final 1,300-plus-mile recruiting visit later, it was clear Darner was that coach.
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