<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">A month ago, Shannon Brown was missing from several NBA first-round mock draft lists. But the former Proviso East star has made up ground quickly. The Michigan State junior is positioning himself as a mid-first-round pick for the June 28 draft. Brown and Arkansas' Ronnie Brewer were among several players who worked out Thursday at the Berto Center for Bulls general manager John Paxson and coach Scott Skiles. A few weeks ago, Brown impressed Paxson and NBA scouts in a workout at Illinois-Chicago. He since has completed six workouts for teams. His rise has created a dilemma for Brown, but the problem is one most college players would not mind having. Brown must decide whether to return for his senior season at Michigan State, and possibly raise his standing to a lottery pick next year, or take less money now and run. He acknowledged returning to school comes with the risk of suffering an injury that could cost him an NBA career. Brown is seeking advice from agent Mark Bartelstein but hasn't signed a contract with him so he can remain eligible for his senior season. He has until June 18 to withdraw from the draft, but Brown leaves the impression he is prepared to get going on a professional career. "If I wasn't [ready], I wouldn't be going through this process," Brown said. "I'm not just doing it for fun. I'm doing it to really make something happen." Although he's an undersized shooting guard, Brown is a terrific athlete with a tireless work ethic. Michigan State listed him at 6 feet 4 inches, but he said he's 6-2 or 6-3 with shoes on. "If you go out there and play, it doesn't matter how tall you are," Brown said. Ideally, the Bulls would like to land Brewer because they need a tall guard for their backcourt. They plan to pursue a guard with their second selection, the 16th pick overall. Brewer, listed at 6-7, is expected to be selected earlier in the draft, somewhere between Nos. 11 and 15. If the Bulls trade down with their No. 2 pick, though, Brewer might be a possibility. Brewer said he played every position except center for Arkansas. His father, Ron, who finished an eight-year NBA career in the mid-1980s, believes Ronnie eventually will become a full-time point guard. Brewer is an above-average defender who needs to improve his awkward outside shot. As a young boy, Brewer broke his right arm while riding a water slide. Since then, he has shot with his elbow out, almost perpendicular to his body. "It's unorthodox and people sort of cringe when they see it, but if it goes in, you can't really say too much about it," he said. Brewer and Brown were the most intriguing prospects at the Berto Center, but Sean Dockery was another familiar face. The former Julian star played four seasons at Duke, including two years behind current Bull Chris Duhon at point guard. Dockery has an uphill battle to become a second-round pick. Brown spent most of high school being a sidekick to Dee Brown, who is not related. They became a dynamic tandem and Shannon was named Mr. Basketball a year after Dee won the award and departed Proviso East for Illinois. Shannon never caught up to Dee in popularity--Dee forever will be a fan favorite because he attended Illinois--but he probably will surpass him in the draft.</div> Source
