Dec. 29, 1999

by Susan Robinson
Illinois Athletic Public Relations Student Assistant

SR: Your first name is in the pronunciation guide. How many times has someone butchered the pronunciation of your name? (It's pronounced CLE-o-tis.)
CB: "It happens a lot, especially when I first got up here. People were calling me Cleotrus, Cleodis, Cleothis. I just tell everybody I meet to call me Cle. I don't tell people my whole name, I tell them my name is Cle."

SR: As a member of this team, you have played in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Australia. Does playing in these big venues make you nervous?
CB: "I'm a country boy. Playing anywhere big is exciting for me. Playing basketball has given me a chance to travel around the world. Big or small, I'm ready to play wherever."

SR: Being from Alabama, how often does your family get to see you play?
CB: "They get to see me play on TV. They are going to try to come up in January or February. It's difficult to see the other guys' families meet them after the games. I just keep my focus on basketball and know that I'll be with them soon."

SR: With all of the expectations, what is it like being a member of this team?
CB: "I'm just excited to be on this team. There are a lot of great players on this team. You can't live up to all of the expectations, we just have to go out and take one game at a time. With this team, anything is possible. This year is really, really exciting about all of the things we can do."

SR: Scottie Pippen is listed as your favorite player. What is it like to play in the United Center, the place that made Scottie Pippen a household name?
CB: "It's exciting every time I play there. Once I hit the floor, it's hard not to be overwhelmed. The first time I played there I got over-excited. Ever since then, once you get on the court, "Oh yeah, I'm going to do something because Michael (Jordan) and Scottie did it on this court.? I really get that feeling on the floor."

SR: Your career has been plagued by injuries. How do you stay positive and stay motivated to play?
CB: "The first injury hit me hard. I wanted to give up basketball and be through with it. My coach and my mother kept on me. I just kept focused. Since then, I've looked to the Lord and my dad cause I know that everything happens for a reason."

SR: What are your personal expectations in your final season as an Illini?
CB: "First and foremost is to win. I want to win. I want to go out of Illinois as a winner. My only goal is to bring the Big Ten championship back to Illinois. If we keep winning, we'll get to my highest goal, a national championship."

SR: What are Cleotis Brown's words to live by?
CB: "Everything happens for a reason. Everything definitely happens for a reason."