Darron Brittman (born September 3, 1962) is a former American basketball player who is best known as 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 McKendree University (McK) is a private university in Lebanon, Illinois. Founded in 1828 as the Lebanon Seminary, it is the oldest college or university in Illinois. McKendree enrolls approximately 2,300 undergraduates and nearly 700 graduate ...

, and the second time happened two weeks later on February 8 against

Saint Xavier University Saint Xavier University (or SXU) is a private Roman Catholic university in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy, the university enrolls 3,749 students. History Saint Xavier University was founded as a women's college by ...

. Brittman recorded 11 steals in each game. Brittman grew up in

Chicago, Illinois (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

and attended Chicago Vocational Career Academy. When he played college basketball for

Chicago State University Chicago State University (CSU) is a predominantly black public university in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1867 as the Cook County Normal School, it was an innovative teachers college. Eventually the Chicago Public Schools assumed control of t ...

, 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 The point guard (PG), also called the one or the point, is one of the five Basketball positions, positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position. Point guards are expected to run t ...

, and it was his small stature that ultimately cost him a chance to play in the

NBA The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America. The league is composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) and is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United St ...

despite high acclaim from his coaches, NBA scouts and other NBA players. He was cut from the

Milwaukee Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded in 1968 ...

' training camp in 1986 because he was playing behind highly touted point guard

Scott Skiles Scott Allen Skiles Sr. (born March 5, 1964) is an American former basketball coach and player. He coached the Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic. A first-round draft pick out of Michigan State University, Skiles played ...

. 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 The Continental Basketball Association (CBA) (originally known as the Eastern Pennsylvania Basketball League, and later as the Eastern Professional Basketball League and the Eastern Basketball Association) was a men's professional basketball m ...

(CBA) and

World Basketball League World Basketball League (WBL) was a minor professional basketball league in the United States and Canada that ran from 1988 to 1992. It was founded as the International Basketball Association in November 1987, before changing its name prior to the 1 ...

, 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.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brittman, Darron 1962 births Living people Basketball players from Chicago Chicago State Cougars men's basketball players Columbus Horizon players Chicago Vocational High School alumni Point guards Wisconsin–Parkside Rangers men's basketball players American men's basketball players

See also

References