Darron Brittman
Encyclopedia
Darron Brittman was an American basketball player who is best known for being the first officially recognized NCAA Division I season steals leader in 1985–86. He is also one of only two Division I players ever to record 11 or more steals in two separate games. The first occurrence was on January 24, 1986 against McKendree University, and the second time happened two weeks later on February 8 against Saint Xavier University. Brittman recorded 11 steals in each game.
Brittman grew up in Chicago, Illinois and attended Chicago Vocational Career Academy. When he played college basketball for Chicago State University
, the school was not classified as Division I until his senior year in 1985–86, so even though he led the nation in steals per game as a junior, the statistic is not recognized as a Division I accomplishment. Brittman was a point guard
, and it was his small stature that ultimately cost him a chance to play in the NBA despite high acclaim from his coaches, NBA scouts and other NBA players. He was cut from the Milwaukee Bucks
' training camp in 1986 because he was playing behind highly touted point guard Scott Skiles
. Brittman was even nicknamed "Ali Baba" due to his crafty ability to steal the ball from opposing players.
With the NBA out of the picture, Brittman spent very short stints in the Continental Basketball Association
(CBA) and World Basketball League
, but neither panned out and he returned to Chicago to try to live a post-basketball life, which he admitted he found difficult to do.
Brittman grew up in Chicago, Illinois and attended Chicago Vocational Career Academy. When he played college basketball for Chicago State University
Chicago State University
Chicago State University is a state university of the U.S. state of Illinois, located in Chicago.-History:Cook County Normal School was founded in 1867, largely through the initiative of John F. Eberhart, the Commissioner of Schools for Cook County...
, the school was not classified as Division I until his senior year in 1985–86, so even though he led the nation in steals per game as a junior, the statistic is not recognized as a Division I accomplishment. Brittman was a point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
, and it was his small stature that ultimately cost him a chance to play in the NBA despite high acclaim from his coaches, NBA scouts and other NBA players. He was cut from the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
' training camp in 1986 because he was playing behind highly touted point guard Scott Skiles
Scott Skiles
Scott Allen Skiles is the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and former American professional basketball player. He also is the former head coach of the NBA's Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns. Skiles holds the NBA record for assists in one game, with 30...
. Brittman was even nicknamed "Ali Baba" due to his crafty ability to steal the ball from opposing players.
With the NBA out of the picture, Brittman spent very short stints in the Continental Basketball Association
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
(CBA) and World Basketball League
World Basketball League
World Basketball League was a minor professional basketball league in the United States and Canada. It was founded as the International Basketball Association in November 1987, before changing its name prior to the 1988 season. One of the major differences between it and other leagues was that it...
, but neither panned out and he returned to Chicago to try to live a post-basketball life, which he admitted he found difficult to do.