Jaylen Brown has always been more than just buckets and defense. But in a recent interview on The School of Hard Knocks podcast, the Celtics All-Star gave fans a raw, unfiltered look into the emotional weight he’s carried off the court.
“I’ve dealt with anxiety, even depression,”Brown shared. “I’ve been to some very dark places.” For someone known for his calm demeanor and team-first mindset, the honesty hit hard-and resonated deeply.
The timing couldn’t be more revealing. With Boston entering a new chapter-Tatum recovering, key veterans gone-Brown is no longer the second option. He’s the anchor now. And while the pressure is real, his mindset seems sharper than ever. “Never let anything break your spirit,”he said. “Everybody’s gonna deal with adversity-even plants struggle to get sunlight.”
Jaylen Brown: “There were nights I didn’t want to get up-but I always did. That’s where my faith came in.”
Brown’s faith has become a pillar in his life. When asked if he believes in God, he didn’t hesitate. “I do. Anytime I’ve ever been alone, I’ve filled that space with the Most High.” His voice in that moment wasn’t performative-it was calm, steady, earned.
He’s also grown vocal about the sacrifices he’s made throughout his career. Speaking to CelticsBlog earlier this summer, Brown said he’s had to shift roles and styles more than people realize. “I’ve always been a team guy… but sometimes I feel like that gets taken for granted.”
Still, there’s no sense of resentment-just clarity. His 2024-25 numbers (22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists) are solid, but he’s aiming higher. “I’m one of the talented people in this league,” he said. “I’m looking forward to showing the world more.”
And when it comes to standing out? Brown offered this: “The moon steals light from the sun, but people never get the two confused… People might imitate you-but the sun still shines every day.”
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