Brown pops by Villanova practice

VILLANOVA, Pa. – Larry Brown's latest basketball stop had nothing to do with taking another coaching job.

Brown was a guest at Villanova's practice on Thursday to catch up with the Wildcats and his good friend, coach Jay Wright. Brown lives near campus and visited for the first time since he parted ways with the Charlotte Bobcats in December.

"He's allowing me to hang around," Brown said, "and get my basketball fix."

Brown was a frequent visitor at Villanova games and practices for two seasons after he was fired by the New York Knicks. Wright, who has led the seventh-ranked Wildcats to a 16-2 record, considers Brown a mentor and friend.

"I love these kids," Brown said. "I just love being around him."

Brown, who said he's bored without basketball, joined Wright for a team breakfast. Wildcats players and coaches took turns talking to Brown and shaking hands.

"I would like to," coach again, Brown said. "I don't want to end the way this one ended. Right now, the most important thing is I'm getting time with my family."

The 70-year-old Brown, a Hall of Fame coach, was in the third season of his 13th professional and college head coaching job. He left with an 88-108 mark for the Bobcats. His 1,327 victories in the ABA and NBA are nine shy of supplanting Don Nelson for the most all-time.

Wright, in his 10th season at Villanova, loves having Brown stop by and give advice.

"Oh, it's the best," Wright said. "He just has so much to offer to any coach. We're lucky he's here."

Brown said he enjoys watching friends and former assistants like Kentucky's John Calipari or Kansas' Bill Self have success.

"I feel like I'm part of that," he said.

Brown is the only coach to win NBA and NCAA titles.