Kodiaks land versatile Aussie player

By Lethbridge Herald on August 11, 2023.

Lethbridge College Photo

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Fans that come to Lethbridge College’s Val Matteotti Gym this season to watch Kodiaks men’s basketball will have the opportunity to watch an exciting Australian player.

Clifton Brown has committed to the team beginning  this upcoming season and is  adaptable and  has experience for a student athlete coming from California’s Orange Coast College.

“Clifton is a versatile player who can score from various spots – both high and low post,” said coach Ryan Heggie. “However, he thrives on the defensive side of ball, and is player who’s willing to make extra pass and be patient on offence.”

The Gold Coast, Australia product had suggestions given to him by a coach there to try out for a Canadian post-secondary institution and commenced discussions with Heggie.

Brown says he knew that the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference was a top conference within the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association.

 Brown did his research on the Kodiaks men’s basketball program and liked the winning and the reputation of the team around the league.

Due to the pandemic, however, Brown played two years at OCC and near the end of his second and last year at the institution he reached out to Heggie.

As a result, Brown flew to Lethbridge and participated in the team’s  basketball ID camp.

“Cliff really hit it off well with teammates at ID camp, and he really fit in,” says Heggie. “He’s not shy, and he’s has seen a thing or two in basketball and travel, so he will adjust and flourish on and off court.”

Brown gives much of the credit for his game improvement to OCC.

“If I could bring one thing that has helped me improve my game a lot, it would be helping the team have defensive toughness,” he says. “My strength as a player is definitely toughness going into the game.”

He will enroll in the General Arts and Science Program and looks forward to joining the team in September.

“I’m very much a team player,” he adds. “I don’t need to be scoring to have a good game. As long as we’re winning as a team, I’m happy and don’t need the individual stats to achieve that.”