First-year forward James Brown looks to have an impact by 'doing the little things'

James Brown doesn't like contacts.

So instead, the first-year forward wears googles. It's become his signature look.

He's worn them for as long as he can remember.

And since committing to UNC in January 2023, Brown has had a year and a half to envision his life as a Tar Heel. He knows that he is not going to be the go-to-guy this season. But with some uncertainty at the forward position, he has the opportunity to make a difference. 

The first-year is no stranger to playing on teams with stars. He started high school at St. Rita in Chicago, where he played with Illinois commit Morez Johnson Jr. and Iowa State commit Nojus Indrusaitis.

Brown transferred to Link Academy in Branson, Mo., for his senior year of high school in order to be more prepared for college basketball. There, he played with three ESPN top-100 players for the class of 2024, including Texas commit Tre Johnson. 

Still, his coach at St. Rita, Roshawn Russell, said that Brown found his place on the team. He expects the forward to do the same at UNC. 

“James was a great teammate," Russell said. "And I think [back] to his sophomore year, when he was really blossoming and taking on a role of scoring a lot and he was very productive.”

So far, Brown's main focus in practice has been on developing as a defensive big, setting screens and working to free up space for the guards — a key role in a team filled with scorers.

“Just doing the little things, the stuff that everybody might not want to do,” Brown said. 

And while the forward had to get used to the pace of collegiate practice, his versatility and ability to run the floor, which he says are his greatest strengths, have contributed to the fast-paced offense that head coach Hubert Davis is stressing this season. 

Brown is a quiet and humble presence off the court. He’s into fashion and in his free time he likes to experiment with painting. He is suitemates with another first-year forward, John Holbrook, and he joked that the two are often teased for having conversations through their door. 

But on the court, Russell said, you’re always going to hear Brown talking. And his goggles make him hard to miss. 

“He’s usually saying the right things, kind of echoing what the coach is saying," Russell said. "So he’s definitely great to have around.” 

Brown’s cousin Corey Brewer, a player development coach for the New Orleans Pelicans and two time NCAA champion with Florida, wore a No. 2 jersey. When he saw that Brown would also be sporting the number, he gave him a call. 

“He’s just told me to take everything in, don’t be afraid to ask questions, really work hard in the weight room," Brown said. "Because that’s the biggest thing that I feel like I need to work on is getting stronger."

Brown wasn’t a total stranger to the team prior to this year. He played AAU basketball for the same team as junior forward Jalen Washington and attended the same prep academy as Elliot Cadeau. He said the older players welcomed the newcomers with open arms. 

Graduate guard RJ Davis praised his new teammate, stressing his unabashed curiosity and competitiveness.  

And, though Brown’s first year will likely be one of development and observation, he is in it for the long haul. The forward wants to get a degree, or multiple, perhaps in psychology or journalism. 

“I think you guys can expect a lot of great things from James Brown,” RJ Davis said. “Not just from this year, but for more years to come.” 

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