Dion Brown, highflying Washington Husky men’s forward, dies at 57 (Percy Allen)
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By Percy Allen Seattle Times staff reporter
Dion Brown, one of the most electrifying players in Washington men’s basketball history, has died.
The University of Washington, which confirmed reports on his passing, didn’t give a cause of death. In a Facebook post, Brown’s mother Myrtle Biggs-Floyd said he died on May 2, two days before his 58th birthday.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved friend. Dion was a kind and loving person who brought so much joy to our lives,” said a GoFundMe account for Brown that’s raised more than $4,400 to cover his funeral and memorial expenses.
Brown, a 6-foot-5 forward from Crenshaw High in Los Angeles, began his collegiate career at Chaminade University where he averaged 11.5 points and 5.4 rebounds before transferring to Washington.
He played three seasons at UW (1988-91) while averaging 12.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 84 games.
As a senior captain, Brown averaged career-highs in points (15.5), rebounds (7.9), assists (2.6) and steals (1.9).
He finished with 1,056 points, which ranks 41st on UW’s all-time scoring list.
Brown, who garnered nicknames Dunkin’ Dion, Neon Dion and Uptown Brown, is probably best remembered at Washington as one of the greatest dunkers in Husky history.
At a time when the Huskies failed to finish above .500 during his three-year stint, the highflying dunk artist thrilled UW fans with an array of aerial acrobatics.
“When you’re going for a dunk, it’s just a feeling that’s hard to describe,” Brown told The Seattle Times after a sensational 30-point performance that included four dunks to lead Washington to a 78-62 nonconference win against Montana on Nov. 27, 1990. “You’re just up there. Way up there. You’re really not thinking of too many things until you come down. It’s just a great feeling to be able to do it.
“I dunked for the first time in a tournament in Las Vegas in the summer between seventh and eighth grade. I was about 5-foot-10. I was on a fast break. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I just jumped and dunked. Everybody was surprised. I was shocked. But after that, it became a habit. I learned how to do it well.”
As a junior, Brown competed with the UW men’s track and field team and participated in the long jump and triple jump.
Brown is survived by his mother Myrtle Biggs-Floyd.
Comments
Very sad. Anyone remember when we had Duke at home? I was in the "Dawg Pack" for that game and managed to get Danny Ferry to flip me off. I remember Dion with some sweet dunks in that game. Found it online.
Dion could fly:
RIP.
Wow, I don't remember Duke coming to Hec Ed.
Played a lot of hoops against Dion at the IMA … was playing overseas at the time and while he could have easily come in and big shotted everybody he never acted anything other than one of the guys
He was a good dude …
A tradition that the North Carolina's, Duke's, etc. used to have as part of their recruiting pitch to players was to make sure that they played a road game in your hometown as part of their recruiting pitch
Guarantee that that game at Hec Ed was at some point during Quin Snyder's career
Sounds right. I just can't believe I have zero memory of it. I was a yuuuuge UW basketball fan back then
Dion was the first husky hooper I personally recall. If I recall correctly he was in the college dunk contest his senior year and just missed a dunk where he tapped the ball off his feet, which at the time was wild. I'm pretty certain he had a kid in Spokane who played at Shadle Park about 8 years ago or so.
Three of them, in fact.
All really good players. All really good kids.
Did Quinn bring his own coke or tap into his MI supply chain?
I never played hoops with Quin but did play with his younger brother
The nose candy rumors were always there …
I saw Quin play for the AAA State Championship in the mid 1980s, with my long lost friend from Queens, Bruce Laracuente. If I remember right, Brian Schwabe also played and went on to Northwestern.