| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1962-09-03)September 3, 1962 (age 62) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Listed height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Listed weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Chicago Vocational (Chicago, Illinois) |
| College |
|
| NBA draft | 1986:undrafted |
| Position | Point guard |
| Career history | |
| 1989–1990 | Columbus Horizon |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Darron Brittman (born September 3, 1962) is an American former basketball player who is best known as the first officially recognizedNCAA Division I season steals leader in 1985–86.[1] He is also one of only two Division I players ever to record 11 or more steals in two separate games.[1] The first occurrence was on January 24, 1986 againstMcKendree University, and the second time happened two weeks later on February 8 againstSaint Xavier University.[1] Brittman recorded 11 steals in each game.
Brittman grew up inChicago, Illinois and attendedChicago Vocational Career Academy.[2] When he played college basketball forChicago State University, 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 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)point guard, and it was his small stature that ultimately cost him a chance to play in theNBA despite high acclaim from his coaches, NBA scouts and other NBA players.[2] He was cut from theMilwaukee Bucks' training camp in 1986 because he was playing behind highly touted point guardScott Skiles.[2] Brittman was even nicknamed "Ali Baba" due to his crafty ability to steal the ball from opposing players.[2]
With the NBA out of the picture, Brittman spent very short stints in theContinental Basketball Association (CBA) andWorld Basketball League, 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.[2][3]