Lansing — Recently drafted Spartan starter Shannon Brown broke into a substantial smirk as a thunderous applause and the MSU fight song roared through Champps Restaurant & Bar on Wednesday night.

Brown came back to Lansing, not as a basketball player, but as a newly signed professional athlete. He took pictures, talked to the press, chatted with more than 120 fans and signed autograph after autograph for more than an hour at the sports grill, 2800 Preyde Blvd. Former Spartan Mateen Cleaves, who led MSU to a national championship in 2000, also made an appearance Wednesday night.

Brown left MSU basketball early to pursue a career in the NBA — and the decision paid off. On June 28, he was the 25th draft pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"I'm in a great situation for me, all the way around," Brown said. "From personally to professionally, everything about the situation is great. You know, (teammate) Lebron (James) makes it easy to play with; he can do everything, and he does it at such a high level."

By the time the former baller arrived in his black Land Rover, the restaurant was overflowing with fans and press as the autograph line snaked out the front door.

Champps manager James Rennie was excited about the opportunity to have Brown in the restaurant.

"This is wonderful," he said. "You know what, he's been a regular here for a couple of years, and we do a lot with the school, so it's great that he offered to do this for us."

With his first NBA season approaching, the high-flying guard has his work cut out for him, but Brown is confident.

"I got to go out there and compete, that's all," Brown said. "It's a little bit different because of that 24-second shot clock, but with everything else, I'm just gonna get in and play hard."

As Brown signed autographs for the mob of eager fans, his father, Chris Brown, looked on proudly. "He works hard, and hard work paid off. It's just a blessing."