Marist’s Stephen Brown is gearing up for his final basketball season. It’s a reality that neither Brown nor anyone else around him could have imagined a few years ago.
Brown was a much-hyped prospect before he even got to high school. He had offers from Illinois and Miami by the time he was a sophomore. But his path turned toward football, where he emerged as a productive receiver/tight end.
Then on Thursday, Brown announced his commitment to play football at North Carolina State. Now, the senior forward can focus on making the most out of one more year of basketball, the sport that has been such a huge part of his early life.
“Knowing this is my last basketball season, it makes me want to go out and win something big,” Brown said. “The goal is definitely to win state. I still love basketball. I have that passion for basketball, so I’m going to give my all for my last season.”
Brown is one of several key seniors returning for Marist along with guards Adoni Vassilakis and TJ Tate and guard/forward Karson Thomas. Senior forward Charles Barnes, a transfer from De La Salle, is a big addition and the RedHawks have plenty of depth beyond that first five.
It has Brown dreaming big.
Marist’s Stephen Brown leans forward for a few extra yards against Joliet Catholic during a CCL/ESCC Orange game at Memorial Stadium in Joliet on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
“We’ve never won a basketball state championship in school history,” Brown said of Marist. “We have a team that can do it. I think we can live up to the hype and we can pull out a win.”
The last few months have been hectic and full of big decisions for Brown.
Over the summer, he decided to quit football and focus on basketball. He was not on the football roster to start the season. But by early September, he had a change of heart and returned to the team.
“Even though I had a good summer playing basketball, I missed football and I wanted to get back out there,” Brown said. “I really love both sports, but I’ve started to love football just a little bit more.”
Marist’s Stephen Brown (5) tries to get to the lane as Brother Rice’s KJ Morris (1) guards him during a nonconference game in Chicago on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
On the basketball side, Brown’s recruiting story falls in line with many in recent classes. The big offers came early, then started to diminish as college programs focus more on the transfer portal.
Brown tried to stay even-keeled through it all.
“I never really took too much time to worry about it,” Brown said. “At the end of the day, I knew my journey was going to be my journey. It’s gone well so far.”
Brown averaged 11 points and seven rebounds last season as the RedHawks finished 31-3 and won a regional title.
Marist’s Stephen Brown (5) dunks the ball against De La Salle during a nonconference game in Chicago on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
For this season, his teammates and coaches see Brown ready to play to his full potential with the weight off his shoulders from having a college decision made.
“He’s been showing out in practice,” Vassilakis said. “We love having him here. He plays hard and I think he’s going to pay a little more freely now, too.”
Marist coach Brian Hynes has seen Brown deal with large expectations and tough choices. All that’s left now is to have a fun senior year.
“I’ve known him since he was 13 years old and the whole world thought he should be this or do this,” Hynes said. “I remember being his age and just playing video games, not having recruiters and agents calling me. Now he can kind of breathe and just be Stephen Brown.”
Marist’s Stephen Brown (5) takes a shot from the corner against De La Salle during a nonconference game in Chicago on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
Brown remembers stepping onto the basketball court for the first time in second grade.
“I was taller than everybody, so my dad said, ‘You might as well play basketball,’” he said. “I tried it out and I fell in love with it.”
Now, football is his future. But there’s still the present.
Brown has taken on a championship-or-bust mindset. However the season ends, he knows there will be strong feelings involved.
“It’s definitely going to be emotional playing my last basketball games,” he said. “But I feel like I made the right choice. So, I’m just going to enjoy this season.”
