“Everybody’s gonna deal with adversity at some point, even plants struggle to get sunlight.”
Jaylen Brown will have the spotlight on him in 2025-26. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
July 31, 2025 | 2:17 PM
2 minutes to read
Jaylen Brown is one of the top stars in the NBA — with the Celtics swingman boasting both an NBA Finals MVP trophy and one of the most lucrative contracts (five years, $285.3 million) in league history.
But during an interview with “School of Hard Knocks,” the 28-year-old star acknowledged that he’s gone through his fair share of challenges over the span of his NBA career.
“I’ve dealt with anxiety, even depression,” Brown said in the interview. “I’ve been to some very dark places, but I feel like those dark places have allowed my light to shine.”
Despite those ups and downs that have presented themselves over Brown’s pro career, he said that he is used to the expected criticism that comes with being a pro athlete.
“Haters? It’s a part of it. They don’t build statues for haters,” Brown said. “They build statues for people that do things, you know?”
Even though Brown is in some unique circumstances as a NBA superstar, he said that his challenges with anxiety and depression are no different from the hurdles that countless others face in their respective lives.
Brown’s advice for those going through the same issues?
“I would say it’s okay. Never let anything break your spirit,” Brown said. “Everybody’s gonna deal with adversity at some point, even plants struggle to get sunlight.”
During the interview, Brown was also asked about what would be the “guiding principle” that he wants to leave for the younger generation.
“The moon steals light from the sun,” Brown said. “But people never get the two confused … We were just talking about haters and imitators. People will imitate you. Take your style, take your lingo, everything that you do.
“But the moon may steal light from the sun, but the sun is still the sun that still shines every day. We don’t get the two confused.”
The spotlight will shine even brighter on Brown, 28, going into the 2025-26 season — with the star expected to serve as the Celtics’ go-to leader and scoring option with Jayson Tatum on the mend from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
“There’s no question Jaylen will draw the most attention and that Jaylen will thrive in that,” Brad Stevens said of Brown earlier this month. “You saw him several times — certainly in the few games in the playoffs where we had to play without [Jayson] Tatum, and I thought he did a good job, especially those two home games.
“I think he’s ready for any challenge. He always has been. I’m excited to see all these guys take a step up.”
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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