Darron Brittman (born September 3, 1962) is an American former 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), formerly McKendree College, is a private university in Lebanon, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1828 as the "Lebanon Seminary", it is the oldest college or university in Illinois. The school was renamed McKendree ...

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

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

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

Chicago, Illinois Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

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

Chicago State University Chicago State University (CSU) is a Historically black colleges and universities, predominantly black (PBI) public university in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It includes an honors program for undergraduates and offers bachelor's and master ...

, 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 Basketball positions, five positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position and is usually the shortest player ...

, 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 composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...

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 Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

' 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 which operated from 1988 to 1992. It was founded as the International Basketball Association in November 1987, before changing its name prior ...

, 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 20th-century American sportsmen

See also

References