Jaylen Brown has already built a unique reputation in the NBA, and his latest comments show that he is already thinking beyond basketball.
During a recent trip to China, Brown visited a classroom full of students, where he was asked what he would do if his NBA career ended today. Brown’s answer had nothing to do with coaching, ownership, or media opportunities.
“If basketball were to end today, it’s tough for me to say, but if I had to choose anything, I probably would be a teacher at a university. I love to teach. I love working with students such as yourself. I work with students at MIT and Harvard back in Boston. I love to teach and build curriculums and just pour into the next generation.”
“You guys are going to be the future. I know you’re going to grow up to do great things. So, I love to work with guys your age because I learn from you as well. I believe that you guys will have the impact on the next generation to make the world a better place.”
For everyone who has followed Brown’s career from the start, the answer wasn’t surprising to say the least.
Long before becoming an NBA champion and Finals MVP, Brown had established himself as one of basketball’s intellectually curious stars. He attended the University of California, where he joined graduate-level classes in his freshman year.
Since coming to the NBA, Brown has been constantly involved with education. He has been part of research programs at MIT, given lectures at Harvard, and regularly speaks with students about leadership, technology, and social issues.
His recent trip to China was a continuation of that trend.
Brown spent time speaking with students, answering questions, and encouraging young people to think beyond sports. The classroom discussion was part of a trip that saw him connect with fans in China.
Earlier during the visit, Brown went viral for dominating local street basketball games, and he drew massive crowds. He even gifted shoes to young players. Brown also joked that he would play for every professional basketball team in China if he was offered a $400 million contract.
The trip came at a time when Brown was a stable figure in Boston. But that’s not the case anymore.
Since the trip last month, Brown has been traded from the Boston Celtics to the Philadelphia 76ers in a stunning blockbuster trade. And he comes to Philadelphia after the best season of his 10-year NBA tenure.
Last season, he averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while earning All-NBA Second Team honors and finishing sixth in MVP voting. He now joins Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe on a stacked team that is expected to contend for an NBA championship.
Despite changing franchises, this side of Brown is what has made him different from other NBA stars.
While many former players want to remain around the NBA after retirement, Brown sees himself standing in a classroom, building curricula, and shaping future leaders. Given his long history with educational institutions like Harvard and MIT, it’s hardly a surprise.
