Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has pondered quite the career change when his run in the NBA is over.
Ahead of the All-Star Game, Brown entertained a transition into combat sports.
“To be honest, I’ve toyed with this and I’ve talked to some people,” he said, per ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. “Maybe post part of my career, I’d love to partake in something like UFC or even boxing. I’ve talked to Dana White about some stuff, but we’ll see as things go on. We’ll see.”
Brown’s father, Marselles, was a pro boxer and had a record of 33-18-1 in the ring. The four-time All-Star has also watched the sport become an even bigger business thanks to lucrative exhibitions, which occasionally feature non-boxers.
Still, former NBA guard Nate Robinson is a bit of a cautionary tale for any basketball player who harbors aspirations of putting on the gloves. Robinson was knocked out in the second round of his 2020 fight with Jake Paul.
MMA Junkie’s Nolan King also noted Brown would qualify as a heavyweight given his listed playing weight (223 pounds). Jumping into the biggest weight class would only add to the challenge.
Assuming Brown intends to suit up in the NBA through his mid-to-late 30s, his dreams of getting in the cage or stepping box ring are probably just that.
