Brandon’s Mom Provides Support

Cleveland Cavalier guard Terrell Brandon wants his mother to take it easy and watch him do all the work on the basketball court.

But Charlotte Brandon isn’t that kind of mom.

“He just wants me to go get a pedicure, a manicure or a body wrap and go sit on the beach in the Bahamas,” she said. “But I tell him, ‘I’m sorry, I can’t sit on the beach all day. I’ve got work to do.’ ”

Last August, Charlotte Brandon founded the Mothers of Professional Basketball Players, a support group for women whose sons or daughters play in the NBA or upcoming Women’s NBA.

It occupies much of her time, which makes her son cringe. But he’s proud of what she’s accomplished.

“I want her to rest now,” he said. “But I think it’s a great idea and I’ve been backing her up 100% the whole time.”

Charlotte Brandon noticed there wasn’t much interaction among NBA mothers when she started attending her son’s games. After having lunch with the mothers of Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton, Jerry Stackhouse, Alonzo Mourning and Jason Kidd, she decided to form the MPBP.

She contacted Commissioner David Stern.

“He thought it was a wonderful idea,” she said. “He said, ‘I’ll do anything to back you up.’ ”

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Toronto Raptor rookie Marcus Camby is eligible to come off the injured list today. If he does, and he gets into the game against the New Jersey Nets in Hamilton, Canada, it should prove interesting, because Net Coach John Calipari was Camby’s coach at Massachusetts.

Camby has been sidelined a couple of times this season, the latest after taking a hit in the back. He has played in only 13 games, and has averaged 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots.