Brewer still making it work in NBA
Former UF standout in town for annual camp
https://www.gatorsports.com/article...1180?Title=Brewer-still-making-it-work-in-NBA
Corey Brewer was looking forward to another postseason run with the Houston Rockets earlier this year. But when the NBA trade deadline came in February, the former Gator standout found himself headed for the west coast instead.
Brewer was unexpectedly dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers for bench scorer Lou Williams and spent the remainder of the 2016-17 season on a storied franchise that has hit hard times. The Lakers failed to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
“I was surprised, but you know, it’s a business, it’s the NBA,” Brewer said. “I’ve been traded a few times, so it wasn’t anything new. Adjustment was a little different because I went from, we were the second or third seed in Houston to being on the second to last team in the NBA.”
Back in Gainesville this week for his 8th annual Back2Back Youth Basketball camp, Brewer said he’s excited about the direction of the Lakers under former franchise icon and new team president Magic Johnson.
“We’ve got Lonzo Ball, some good young talent coming in so we should have a better year,” Brewer said. “The future is going to be bright. Magic is great, he’s doing a good job and Rob Pelinka, who has come in and took over as the GM, they’re both doing a great job and they are getting the pieces they want.”
Brewer, who with teammates Al Horford, Joakim Noah, Taurean Green and Lee Humphrey helped lead UF to back-to-back national titles in 2006 and ’07, said he enjoys coming back to Gainesville each year. The camp drew close to 100 boys and girls on Tuesday at Buchholz High School, and some have attended all eight years. Proceeds from the event benefit the UF Diabetes Institute.
“When I was here, it was three of the best years in my life,” Brewer said. “I’ve been doing this camp for eight years now and ever since the first time I did it, the kids connected with me, I connected with them. It’s been great ever since.”
Brewer (seventh pick), Horford (third pick) and Noah (ninth pick) were all selected in the NBA Draft Lottery 10 years ago. All three are still playing in the NBA and still productive. Brewer averaged 4.5 points and 1.6 rebounds for the Rockets and Lakers last season and has averaged 9.2 points in his 10-year NBA career.
“It’s unbelievable that we’re all still playing and we’re all playing at a pretty high level,” Brewer said. “Al, they went to the Eastern Conference finals last year, Jo was hurt a little bit. Other than that we’ve been pretty healthy and 11 years is a long time to be in the NBA, we’re just trying to keep it going.”
How much longer Brewer will be playing remains to be seen. At 31, Brewer is entering the final year of a three-year contract.
“I hope I can go a while longer,” Brewer said. “My body still feels good. I still feel young.”
Brewer said he took delight in watching UF’s Elite Eight run last season.
“I’m a big Gator fan,” Brewer said. “In my mind, we were getting to the Final Four. When South Carolina beat us, it was tough. Anytime you get beat by an SEC school it’s tough, especially in the tournament.”
A Portland, Tenn., native, Brewer said he was unable to watch UF’s dramatic Sweet 16 win over Wisconsin live. But he had a chance to watch the replays when a fellow Tennessean, Memphis native Chris Chiozza, hit the game-winning, running 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat the Badgers.
“I was cheering after the game,” Brewer said. “Tennessee guys who come to Florida, we do big things, just like me and Lee Humphrey.”
Brewer said he’s developed a good relationship with UF coach Mike White. On Monday, White invited Brewer to a workout. Brewer gave the players a pep talk when the workout ended.
“They’ve got some players,” Brewer said. “KeVaughn Allen can really shoot it, Chiozza is going to be a good point guard, the big men, they’re all solid, can rebound. It’s a good, solid team.”
Even though Brewer is hoping to latch on with the Lakers or another team when his contract expires next season, he said he’s starting to think about life after his playing career ends. He wants to stay in basketball.
“Hopefully I can coach or do something in the front office,” Brewer said. “I want to stick around the game. I love basketball. There’s nowhere else I’d want to be.”