Jaylen Brown Reacts to Being 1st Celtic on Time Cover Since Larry Bird

It’s been a summer of history-making achievements for Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown. 

Brown, 27, was named NBA Finals MVP in June, earning his first ring while helping the Celtics win their record-breaking 18th NBA Championship. 

Earlier this month, he appeared on the cover of Time as part of the magazine’s Time100 Next 2024 list, becoming the first Celtic to appear on the iconic cover since Hall of Famer Larry Bird, who was illustrated next to hockey icon Wayne Gretzky with the headline “Simply the Best,” in March 1985. 

“How crazy is that?” Brown exclusively said to Us Weekly on the Time100 Next red carpet at Current at Pier 59 in New York City on Wednesday, October 9. 

Brown marveled at the achievement, especially given the fact that “we had a lot of Celtic greats” over the years.

“It’s one of the biggest organizations and franchises in sports history, not just in the NBA,” Brown said. “The last cover was 40 years ago. I think it’s a tremendous honor from Time. I’m grateful, my family is grateful, and we don’t take it for granted.”

The Time100 Next list honors “emerging leaders from around the world who are shaping the future and defining the next generation of leadership,” according to the magazine. 

Brown was honored alongside names like singer Shaboozey, actress Ashley Park, Team USA gymnast Fred Richard and Olympic rugby star Ilona Maher.

Only three honorees, however, received Time magazine covers. Brown was featured alongside singer Sabrina Carpenter and CEO Aisha Nyandoro as this year’s trio of cover stars. 

Brown was recognized for the launch of Boston XChange, his initiative to build generational wealth in communities of color. In October, the organization will convene its first class of entrepreneurs from underinvested backgrounds, offering support such as workspaces, workshops, and grant funding. 

While he’s busy making impactful moves off the court, Brown will turn his focus back to basketball when the Celtics begin their quest for a second consecutive NBA championship October 22 against the New York Knicks. 

In discussing what the future holds for Brown at the end of his massive five-year, $304 million contract he signed last year, he hinted that things are up in the air. 

“I’m taking it year by year, man,” he said. “We’ll see, we’ll see.”

 Reporting by Antonio Ferme