When the Boston Celtics traded Jaylen Brown in 2016, they knew they had a player in their hands. The sensational guard is looking to win his first NBA title and hopefully, they will get it after they go head-to-head against the Dallas Mavericks. Everyone who witnesses the game understands his competitive nature. But did you know his father was a professional boxer?

So, who were his parents who modeled him to become one of the biggest stars on the planet? 

Family background and parental influence of Jaylen Brown

Jaylen was born on October 24, 1996, to Marselles and Mechalle Brown. However, his mother raised him from a young age with his brother, Quenton, and he came from a family focused on education and activism. His father, Marselles Brown, was a professional heavyweight boxer who competed in various bouts in his career. He was also a notable champion in his career. 

On the other hand, Brown’s mother focused on education and activism. His mother earlier mentioned how Brown’s love for basketball started when he was nine months old. Since then, he has taken the ball and practiced the sport he loved. Thus, his mother had a significant role in his career path. 

Mechalle Brown’s role and influence

Brown attended the Wheeler High School and often speaks highly of his mother. The Celtics star spoke about how his mother wanted him to focus on education and philanthropic work. His mother was born and bred in Muskegon, Michigan, and she became a professor. She received her bachelor of science degree from Michigan State and an MBA from American InterContinental University. 

On top of that, her name is listed in the faculty directory of Boston’s Cambridge College as an adjunct instructor. Brown always stated how his mother encouraged him to do extra-curricular activities and kept him occupied. Brown’s mother is also part of his 7uice Foundation. She taught him to use his voice and become an advocate for various issues. 

Marselles Brown’s career and motivation 

Like his mother, Brown’s athletic genes come from his father. Marselles is 7ft tall and has a reach of 86 inches. Not only is he a professional boxer, but a successful one. He holds a record of 33-18 in his career, with 25 knockouts to his name. His father’s debut professional fight happened on January 13, 1989. Moreover, Marselles finished his boxing career on July 30, 2016.

The stunning Marselles has various accolades to his name, like serving as a member of the Hawaii State Boxing Commission Board. The boxer was also the 2016 World Boxing Union (WBU) World Champion and the 2015 WBU C.A.M. Heavyweight Champion. He is immensely proud of his sons and explained the reasons why he came back from retirement because of his sons. 

He stated, “My main motivation for coming out of retirement was to show my kids that I never gave up on my dreams.” Knowing the controversial entertainment industry, Marselles mentioned how it was “nasty” and encouraged them to “stay in course“. 

Jaylen Brown’s siblings and extended family

Education runs through the roots of the Browns. Apart from Jaylen and his mother, his extended family also understands the importance of education. Many of his family members are involved in his 7uice where his brother, Quenton Brown, is the director of the 7uice Foundation. Meanwhile, his cousin Malcolm Durr works as the creative director for the Foundation. 

While Jaylen focused on his basketball career, his brother chose to study business administration and management and currently holds the position of athlete relations coordinator at Playbooked. Brown’s family supported him during his childhood years, and his maternal grandmother, Diane Varnado, once made them write an essay on why they needed an Xbox. A tip to remember, after all! That’s not all. 

His paternal grandfather, Willie Brown, influenced his career and taught him to play chess, and he eventually became the captain of the chess team. But all in all, education became a critical component in his life. 

Educational values and academic choices

The Brown family deeply valued education, and his mother supported him along the way. In a sitdown with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson in the All the Smoke podcast, Brown stated how his mother had two degrees and was the “realest“ person in the world. Several of his aunts and uncles had attained PhDs and valued education. 

He selected the University of Berkeley because of its importance in educational excellence. Thus, Brown’s upbringing came from a scholarly background and his family. And now, he is one step away from winning his first NBA Championship.