Jamaal Brown, a former Ohio State basketball player who led the Buckeyes to two consecutive Big Ten championships in 1991 and 1992, died on Sunday at his Texas home. He was 52 years old. According to Medicotopics, the cause of death was a heart attack.
A Stellar Career at Ohio State
Brown was a point guard who played for Ohio State from 1988 to 1992. He appeared in 127 games, starting 126 of them. He scored 1,139 points in his career, averaging 9.0 points per game. He also made 75 three-pointers and had 372 assists.
Brown was a key member of the Buckeyes teams that won back-to-back Big Ten titles in 1991 and 1992, under coach Randy Ayers. He was the team captain in his senior year, when he was second to Jim Jackson with 41 threes. He also earned All-Big Ten honorable mention honors in both seasons.
One of the highlights of his career was a career-high 29-point performance that helped Ohio State defeat No. 3 Indiana 93-85 in Assembly Hall in January 1991. The Buckeyes were ranked fourth in the country at the time and improved to 15-0 with the win.
A Beloved Teammate and Person
Brown was not only a talented player, but also a great teammate and person. He was a communications major who regularly visited local elementary schools, talking to kids about life, basketball, and the dangers of drug use.
His former teammate and fellow captain Tony White described him as “a guy who knew how to play the game, didn’t make a lot of mistakes, made jump shots, was a strong presence, and a fantastic defender”.
Brown was also known for his personality and sense of humor. He had nicknames for himself and his friends, based on the TV show In Living Color. His nickname was “Moss Ski Easkey Bone On The Raheem-Abdul-Kamala-Tip Love” and his roommate Treg Lee’s nickname was “T-Bone on The Raheem-Abdul-Ishmael-Tip Love”.
Brown was born in Arlington, Texas, and attended Sam Houston High School, where he earned All-State honors in track and basketball. He set the school record in the high jump by clearing 6-10. He also won the MVP of the Texas All-Star Game in his senior year.
A Shocking and Tragic Loss
Brown’s death came as a shock and a tragedy to his family, friends, and fans. He is survived by his wife Meg, whom he married in 1989, and their three children: Jamaal Jr., Jalen, and Jada.
The Ohio State Department of Athletics issued a statement expressing their condolences and sadness over Brown’s passing. They said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of Jamaal’s passing. He was an outstanding player and person who represented Ohio State with class and dignity. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time”.
Brown’s former coach Randy Ayers also paid tribute to him, saying: “He was one of my favorite players I ever coached. He was tough, dependable, loyal, and a great leader. He loved Ohio State and his teammates. He will be greatly missed”.
Brown’s former teammates also shared their grief and memories of him on social media. Jim Jackson tweeted: “My heart is heavy today as I learned about the passing of my brother Jamaal Brown. JB was one of the best teammates I ever had. Always had your back no matter what. RIP my brother Perry Carter posted: “Rest easy my brother Jamaal Brown. You were one of the best point guards I ever played with. You always made me laugh with your jokes and nicknames. You were a true Buckeye legend”.
