D'Aundray Brown was a staple in Cleveland State University's backcourt the past couple of years.
He saw his friend and point guard Norris Cole drafted in the first round by the NBA World Champion Miami Heat this time last season.
"Me and Norris talk on the regular," said Brown, an Ursuline High School graduate. "That's like my brother. I was down there to see Game 4 and 5 of the championship. Me and him talk every day."
Friday, it was time for Brown to possibly realize an NBA dream of his own as he was invited to go to a Cleveland Cavaliers rookie minicamp.
Cole gave his friend, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound guard, some good advice.
"He tells me to work on my skill set," Brown said. "Do what you do. Don't change your game and try to do something else. Just stick to what you know. Play hard and play basketball."
The top invitees will go with the Cavs and play in this year's summer league. After that, those the team still likes will be invited to Cleveland's camp in hopes to making the team's roster.
Brown's agent Dino Pergola said he hopes to find out next week if Brown made the Cavs' summer league roster.
"Today was a day to feel out and play five-on-five and just keep things going," said Brown, who will play at the minicamp that goes through Sunday. "They're really looking for me to do the things I did in college and defend as well."
Brown hopes to show off his defensive prowess he learned from one of the best defensive coaches in the country - CSU's Gary Waters.
"If anyone knows coach Waters, he pushes defense a lot," said Brown, who averaged 10 points and two assists for the Vikings last season. "You have to be a great defender first. (He teaches you) how to be a good person. Make sure you're the hardest working player on the floor.
"I want to be go out there and be a lock-down defender and go out there, contribute on offense and hit some open shots, getting the ball to bigs when they're open. Just be an overall good player."
Brown's father, Aundra, who played for Youngstown State University from 1987-91, said his son should be thankful of this weekend's opportunity. Brown's mother, Sharella Thomas, played for the YSU women's program from 1990-93.
"Do the best he can and see what happens after that," Aundra said. "Enjoy the moment your given, no matter how small or big it may be. Enjoy it to the fullest."
He knows his son had a great basketball education at CSU.
"The character from the coaches to the players, you really couldn't ask for much more," Aundra said. "With me being an ex-college player, it's not always fun and games when you get to the college level of basketball. I have to give those guys credit as far as his basketball career and as a person. That goes a lot with it.
"Everybody strives to be an NBA player, but the numbers are few to get there."
Cole is one of those few.
"He called me for Father's Day, which was my birthday, and told me Happy Father's Day and Happy Birthday," Aundra said of Cole. "He's a NBA player with a NBA championship. That's goes to tell what kind of character he is."
As for D'Aundray, he's ready to show his character and game to the Cavs.
"It's a blessing," he said. "I'm happy to have this opportunity. I love basketball and any opportunity I get to compete, playing the game I love. I want to take full advantage of it and do my best."
