Boys Basketball:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

It was going to be a tall task for Davian Brown to live up to his big brother’s legacy at Pasadena High School.

Darius Brown II, along with Bryce Hamilton, and their teammates, led the Bulldogs’ program to consecutive CIF-SS title game appearances in 2016-17 and 2017-18.

DBII just finished his second season at Cal State Northridge and he’s earned the right to be the Matadors’ point guard.

Although they are different athletes and had different supporting casts around them, Davian Brown very much paved his own path and through a tireless work ethic, he finished his senior year with elite accomplishments of his own.

Brown led PHS in points per game (15), total points (300), field goals made (117), free-throws made (45), free-throw percentage (83), 2-point field goal percentage (57), steals per game (2) and steals for the season (45)

He was second in assists per game (4), overall field goal percentage (49) and blocked shots per game (1).

Brown’s four rebounds per game and 3-pointers made (31) ranked third amongst his teammates.

It’s for the stats above and many other reasons that Brown earned the Pacific League’s co-MVP honor, and it made it possible for the PHS senior to find a home at the next level.

Brown will attend and compete at The Master’s University in Santa Clarita and the Mustangs men’s basketball program got themselves a solid young man, with unimpeachable character.

His pedigree as both an athlete and person is about as good as it gets.

As mentioned, his older brother, DBII, was a superstar at PHS, and now his youngest brother Drew will follow in Davian’s footsteps.

Their parents, Leah and Darius Brown Sr, did a remarkable job in raising three boys.

All one needs in order to form an opinion of Darius and Leah’s performance as parents is to observe the way in which their three boys carry themselves and the respect they show others.

Another way is to watch Davian Brown compete.

This reporter only got the chance to see PHS once this year and it was the first round of the playoffs.

Just like his big brother, Davian was a target by opponents in the hopes of slowing down the PHS offense by roughing him up any time he drove to the hole.

And despite occasions where obvious fouls were not called, Davian never attempted to upstage an official or dishonor the family that is the PHS boys basketball program.

Pasadena’s Tony Brooks has been able to hold his athletes to the highest standards in and out of a basketball gym, and that includes the classroom.

Brown made sure he worked as diligently on his grades as he did his jump shot and because of that, you’ll see his name on the Principal’s Honor Roll.

So, to the good people at the Master’s University, you’re getting a good basketball player, but an even better person.

We asked Davian Brown to comment on his senior year, the season in general, living up to his brother’s remarkable prep career and why The Master’s University was a good fit.

Said Brown: “For my senior year personally, I believe I played well. I did my best to help lead the team on and off the floor, as well as staying on the same page with my coach at all times. My role on this team was to be the most talkative player on and off the court. Being able to score the ball at any point and to facilitate the ball throughout each game.

I actually was thinking about playing up to my older brother’s reputation through the season. I wanted to have higher overall stats and in the end they were pretty comparable.

The most memorable moment of my season would be in Las Vegas in our last game. We were down two points with four seconds to play and I caught the ball at the top of the key, drove two defenders away from their man and was able to assist a teammate on a lay up to send the game to overtime. We eventually won that game in double overtime.

I had been in touch with The Master’s University for a year or so and went to a few of their games and really hit it off well with everyone involved. I am very excited to continue my career at the next level and to do so for the Mustangs.”

Quotable:

PHS assistant coach, and father, Darius Brown Sr. “I am proud of Davian’s work ethic and regardless of his brothers success, they have different paths and Davian has shown he has his own path to follow. For him to find a college home just showed that even with the program’s success not matching previous years, his work earned a way to school, which is very rewarding. I’m most proud of Davian that he stuck with things worked hard in the classroom and the court, and at the end, was rewarded with academic and league honors, while earning a scholarship.”

PHS senior Devon Lewis: “Davian is willing to make the extra pass. If he see’s you open, the ball will be delivered. He leads in the right time. If he sees your head down, he will pick it up. As a competitor, he is relentless, he will fight until the last whistle. He does pretty much everything on the court. Defense, steals, rebounding, and scoring. With Davian and myself on the court at the same time, because we worked so well togethr, it was usually going to be a long day for an opponent.”

Former PHS/current Cal State Northridge point guard, Darius Brown II: “I don’t think it was hard for Davian to follow in my footsteps, because we never compare ourselves. Pops always told us we have our own paths and own lives. We know our teams were built different and also may have different successes. At the next level, Davian will bring a high IQ, which translates at any level. He’s a great shooter and ball handler, and he just needs to make sure he stays in the gym. I am so proud of Davian and his high school career, from getting beat up as a freshman and sophomore with me, to leading his team his junior and senior year. I enjoyed watching him grow as a person and player. I am so excited to see what the future holds for him.”

Davian’s younger brother, Drew Brown: “I am proud of both of my brothers in the success they’ve had so far, but watching them and their success now is expected. I’ve always tried to follow my brothers as far as their leadership with their teams and when I play, I try to make sure I’m a leader as well. I also appreciate the advice they give me during our workouts. Since they’ve been successful, I can really listen to them, apply it and hopefully will have the same success or even more.”