Albany Patroons Cut Deaf Trainee Cager

ALBANY, N.Y. — The Continental Basketball Assn.’s Albany Patroons have cut Willie Brown, sidetracking his attempt to become the first deaf professional basketball player.

Patroons Coach Gerald Oliver said today that the 6-foot-8 Brown played well in training camp but that he must build up his 215-pound frame in order to compete in the CBA.

“We think he can play basketball,” Oliver said. “We’ve given him steps to take to improve his size and improve his skills. . . . We’d love to have him.”

Coaches communicated with Brown by writing things out and through interpreters. Oliver said Brown was always able to tell when a whistle had been blown.