Essence Brown is a 2014 combo guard at Calvin Coolidge High in DC. The 5'7" baller carries a 4.0 GPA around with her and is being recruited by several D1 schools. She is articulate and bright and she shared her story with 695Hoops.com

695: How did you start playing ball and how old were you?

Essence: I started playing basketball because it was pretty much a family sports I saw all the males in my family playing so I thought I would try it. I started around the age of 10.

695: Have you played any other sports?

Essence: I cheered for a couple years because the school I went to didn't allow girls on the basketball team. Then I went to play soccer, after that the track coach referred me to run track and I became a natural. I entered middle school and it was a battle between basketball and track. It was not until my first year in high school did I realize that basketball was where I really wanted to be.

695:  Where did you grow up?

Essence: I grew up a couple places. I was born in Georgia, but my mom,grandmother and I moved to DC for my grandmother's career. I lived in North East DC, South East DC and Seat Pleasant, Maryland.  We're basically an on the go family.

695:  What other hobbies do you have besides sports?

Essence: I like drawing and fixing computers. I'm kind of a technology person. I try to fix anything that's broken.


695: What do you want to add to your game for the next level?

Essence: As I prepare for the next level, I want to become a more versatile player. I want to continue to improve my left hand, see the floor, and recognize better shots. Whether I should shoot it or make the extra pass for my teammates to shoot. I want to become a triple threat knocking down the shot, getting to the basket and finishing, and attracting the defense on the penetration to create open jump shots for my teammates.

695:  Which AAU teams have you played for?

Essence: The only AAU team I have ever played for is Team Sol.

695: Tell me about a funny basketball road trip...

Essence: A funny basketball road trip was last season when myself , two of my best friends and three  coaches rode to Georgia. The music selection was terrible we were in the car for 8 hrs going up and about 10 coming back. It rained cats and dogs when we came back and the music was even worse. It was terrible at the moment but now that I look back on it I laugh because it was a wild adventure.

695:  What are your goals for this summer?

Essence: My goals for this summer are to  be a leader for my team like I have thus far. Increase my skill level about three notches so that I will be prepared for the last high school season of my career and continue to go to the gym and become more of a consistent all around ball player.

695: What position are you most comfortable playing?

Essence:I'm most comfortable playing the 1 and 2. Shooting the ball is what I love to do and making plays and talking on defense is what I love most about playing.

695:  What type of music do you listen to?

Essence: I have a really wide spread music selection that I listen to before games. I listen to slow jams and sometime fast and exotic songs. I have a lot of Beyonce, Lil Wayne,  And the Notorious B.I.G. He's kinda my favorite of all time.

695: Who is your favorite player?

Essence: My favorite player would have to be a tie between Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Their games are similar to me and they are both very dominant players. I wear #23 because I look up to Jordan and I'm fortunate to share a birthday with him.They both are really positive influences to my game.

695: Thanks for your time.

Essence: Thank you.