That’s Fred Brown I’m leaning on in the front row, dressed in all white at his youth camp held at Kennedy Center.
Lincoln Parker and I grew up together playing at the Goat Park on 99th and Amsterdam. He was older, and a lot better, so I learned a ton about the game from him. One memory was when he came down one summer night in 1981 after a King Towers Tournament game at Foster Projects, Harlem. He told me, “Bobby, it was bananas up there! There were people watching from the roof! This dude Gumby was on the mic snapping on everybody. And there’s a guard named “Disco” Fred Brown; game is sick. He dribbles through his legs machine gun style three times in a row and bakes anybody in front of him . . .” I can remember this all like yesterday. Linc had on a red KTT shirt with a huge white star on the front. It was the most beautiful uni I had seen at that point. And the thought of going through the legs three times at my tender age of 14 left my mind in bewilderment. Isiah would go on to make it a signature move in the NBA during the ’80s decade. In ‘81 though, it was straight playground.
In ‘04-’05, I became a rookie in the Pelham Fritz 38 and Over League, and finally had the pleasure to go up against Fred Brown. His handle, 25 years later, is still the same, and honestly there were times when he’d dribble low through three of my teammates in the paint, and I’d watch in awe. Fred was a ‘83 draft pick of the Phoenix Suns after having killed at Virginia Commonwealth his senior year averaging 15 a game on 53% from the field. He never logged any NBA minutes, however his Harlem legend status forever remains intact still to this day. In August, he invited me to speak at his youth camp held at the Kennedy Center. I was honored simply to hold the same mic with the brother, and bugging when he introduced me
and said, ” . . . Bobbito got a nice game, too.” Little does he know that my handle was inspired by what I had heard about him! Next summer we’ll post info on his camp before it happens for parents interested in having their children participate.
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:03 am
Elliot Rosado says:
Fred Brown was the one all kids wanted to be like. Not only was his game tight but his swagger was crazy. I remember me and my friends knowing his ball schedule better than he did. Anywhere he played we were there especially when the entertainers was down on a 138thst. Him and Pookie Wilson had some great battles.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:37 pm
funkalot says:
Bob,
Give us more background on Disco, where did he go to High School and how acclaimed was he in the city at that time, the ‘79 class of Red Bruin, Billy Goodwin, Vern and Victor Fleming, Sid Green , etc.
Plus, do not forget to post the schedule for the Pelham Fritz, so that we can peep folks like Disco and other legends, still doing their thing.
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
funk-
i believe fred went to Kennedy HS, but i don’t know much history of how nice he was back then. he went to a juco before he wound up at VCU.
will definitely post pelham fritz info as best possible. starts in november.
October 2nd, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Bangie says:
Fred Brown (Disco/Tap Dance)was and still is one awesome ball player. He was tearing them up all through high school in ‘78-’79 (Kennedy HS). Along with Fred, out of the Bronx & Manhattan, you had Dave Crosby, Kevin Williams, Steve Burtt, Billy Goodwin, Pete Aguilla, Darren Barnnet, Ronnie Ryan, Artie Green, Cornbread and Bill Sadler and many others.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Dr. Michael Willett says:
My heart did leap with joy, when I discoved that Bounce Magazine discover the multiplicity of talents of Mr. Brown.I have found Fred to be an extraordinary physical talent but most importantly, Fred has grown into a man of character. Again, Bounce great choice, you are on your way, to the top of the Sports Magazine heap.
October 8th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Max says:
The beauty of playing in King Towers was the size of the court and the location in the center of the projects. It was a venue designed for slick, cagey NYC guards with quick feet and even quicker hands. Fred Brown, did it well and Harlem showed him mad love. I’m glad he’s finding time to share his gift with others.
October 10th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Ice says:
Fred Brown was nice from a kid.He was breaking scoring records at 13. I watched him score 50 or more several times in the citywide tournament before he was 15. What changed for Fred after High School is in his 1st year of college he came back with a 44 inch vertical. He could’nt jump like that in high school. I know he was drafted by phoenix but he also was part of team that toured internationally with all NBA players. Some are hall of famers and some were named in the 50 greatest players of all time. Fred Brown was a bad boy on and off the court.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Archie says:
Big ups to Fred. People used to be on the roof tops to see him play. He’s more than a playground legend. He’s a basketball legend from NYC. He received honors on the high school and college level and was drafted by the phoenix suns. In addition he was very popular off the court.
October 12th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
KJ says:
People talk about the Pro Rucker and the EBC but King Towers in the early eighties was crazy. A lot of ballplayers came through but Disco Fred Brown was one of the special ones as was Pearl Washington. Pearl would ride his motorcycle up in the projects and Disco would drive up in the parking lot get out and be crazy fly. Just like someone mentioned his swagger was crazy. I understand he’s still that way. I’m glad to hear he’s doing something with kids.
October 30th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Willie J. says:
Fred Brown has been an incredible basketball talent at every level from biddie ball on up throughout his entire career. His ability to function successfully in multiple arenas(sports,streets,business,politcal…) is a feat that is impressive and worthy of note. Returning to his roots to mentor the youth through his basketball camps is an endeavor that should receive support from every sector of our community(church,business,etc.)