Get Smart

Boston Celtics rising star JAYLEN BROWN has turned plenty of heads with hisexciting, high-flying game. What separates him from most young NBA players,though, is the way he prepares himself mentally for the grind of an 82-game season.

- Max Resetar

AT 21 YEARS OLD, Jaylen Brown is wise beyond his years. The budding Celtics star meditates, makes music, plays chess and has the courage to speak openly about racism in America.

He also watches superhero movies, makes fun of his cousins on Snap chat and films himself doing social media challenges.

That’s the duality of Jaylen Brown. He’s an intellectual, aware that there’s more to the world than basketball. He’s also just a kid who likes to have fun.

That versatility continues when he steps on the hardwood. He covers the floor defensively, locking in on the opposition’s best perimeter player. He operates with patience, waiting for his opportunity, reading the offense. Then he strikes. When he gets steals or chases down rebounds and rogue loose balls, he flies to the other end of the court, finishing with soaring tomahawks, windmills and between-the legs dunks. His jump shot has grown quickly and so have his handles. He’s taking dudes off the dribble, making use of iso moves. The second-year pro is showing big-time improvement in all parts of his game, both mentally and physically.

Brown’s proving that there aren’t too many people who can keep up with him on the court. His athleticism, a mixture of raw strength and agility, are being complemented by a realization that he has to master the mental side of hoops. He’s just starting to scratch the surface of his potential.

WHEN WE LINK up with Brown for this story, it’s a cold, rainy day in Waltham, MA. He comes through to the court that we’ve rented followed by his two older cousins who have come from Georgia to live with him. He answers questions on camera and poses for some stationary photos in front of about a dozen people. It’s late in the afternoon, and most of our crew has gotten all they need for the day.