Avery Brown started playing basketball when he was just two years old. For this Beacon Falls, Connecticut native, his passion for the game stemmed from his family’s close connection to the sport and the unique bond it fostered between them. Determined to one day play at the Division I level and go after his dreams of playing in the NBA, Avery decided to embark on a journey of his own playing basketball at an early age. He was on a mission. Throughout his time in high school, Avery continued to strengthen his skills on the court and leave his mark on the game—playing his freshman season at Fairfield Prep before transferring to Northfield Mount Hermon High School in Massachusetts and playing three years of varsity basketball there. Before he knew it, the opportunity he had been working towards was here. During his senior year, Avery committed to Columbia University and officially achieved his childhood dreams of playing collegiate basketball at the Division I level. Currently in his freshman season, Avery is ecstatic to become the best version of himself both on and off the court as he enters this new chapter. Along with this, he is looking forward to working towards his goal of playing in the NBA and pursuing his interests beyond the game in fashion, music, and art.
Diving into your journey early on, how do you think your game elevated throughout your time in high school to prepare you now that you're in college?
I probably grew in every area of my game, to be honest. I got taller, stronger, and quicker. The maturity level in terms of the basketball game has (elevated)—especially as a point guard. You know, knowing how to play the game the right way, being a leader to your teammates, getting everyone involved, and being a person that everyone loves to play with and compete with. So really just mastering that, I became a better all around player in general; but I think the key thing that's gonna help me in college and hopefully the next level of basketball is my leadership and being the person I am—not changing who I am off the court to on the court, being a loving person, being a caring person, and just being the same way as a teammate.
How has that transition from high school to college been like for you thus far?
The college transition hasn't been too bad, honestly. My high school was ran like a college program and that was one of the reasons why I went there—because I was gonna be prepared for college. That statement is really true and that was one of the key things to why I went to prep school. John Carroll, our coach, told me that he would prepare me for the next level. I think he did a great job doing that. Everything that's been coming at me isn't really new. Everything new coming to me hasn't really been too stressful, you know? It has just allowed me to unfold as a person. A lot of strong values have been instilled in me so I just take everything head on. Every new challenge, I take it head on and am just excited to get to it and get better.
As you begin your first season at Columbia, what are some personal goals that you have?