JUSTIN Brownlee Jr. is now strutting his stuff for Fil-Am Nation San Francisco in the Manila Live 14U tournament, but his play isn't exactly unfamiliar anymore to Filipino fans.
Clips of the son of Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Justin Brownlee are already online, regularly posted on the Facebook page of Ginebra Boy's Ball Ballers, which is owned by one of the team's utility staff, Junjun Atienza.
The elder Brownlee is excited about the future of his son in basketball, as the kid has shown immense improvement over the past few years while growing just a few inches short of catching his 6-foot-5 dad.
“He is really blossoming and coming into his own,” said Brownlee of the 14-year-old who, when much younger, used to run around th corridors of stadiums where Barangay Ginebra and his dad play.
Take a look at some of his highlights:
Brownlee said his son actually plays American football and baseball as well, but has started to love the sport that he plays and has become successful with.
“At first, he started off playing American football. That's what he really loved. But now, he's kind of transitioned to just almost strictly basketball now,” said the three-time PBA Best Import and multiple champion.
“A little football here and there, and then maybe he may play baseball. I'm not sure yet. But basketball, he's taking off. He is really doing very well,” said Brownlee.
READ Brownlee, Devance sons set to see action in Manila Live
Brownlee said he tries to make time for his son during the offseason in terms of helping him improve his game. But for the most part, it was his son who did all the work. The good thing for the younger Brownlee is so disciplined in terms of keeping himself in shape and improving his game.
“He is putting in the work in so I got to give him a lot of credit. He is really very strict with his workout and with his dieting. He just loves the game. So I'm happy to see it. I'm happy for him. I can't wait [to see] what the future holds for him because it looks very bright for him,” said Brownlee Sr.
Brownlee added he also has a great support system that includes his mother back home.
“I try to teach him here and there. Every time we work out, he wants to play one-on-one a couple of times. And of course, I had to beat him,” said Brownlee with a smile.
Here's how tall Brownlee Jr. has grown
“But he is a tough competitor. He's got trainers. I'm blessed and he is blessed as well to have a really good coach. And his mom is dedicated to him as far as when I'm not there, as far as getting him to practice and training and stuff like that,” said Brownlee.
Although Justin junior juggles a number of sports at the moment, Justin senior, if he is to be asked, said he wants his son to stick to basketball.
“I want him to play basketball 100 percent,” Brownlee said. “He's got the height for it. He's always been taller for his age. Football, he's a little thin. I would tell him I don't know about football. If he plays football, he needs to bulk up a little bit (because) he's got a slender frame.”
Who is better at 14 years old among the two Brownlees?
“That’s a good question,” Brownlee responded. “To be honest, I would say physically, he is a little bit taller than I think I was. Physically, he's better than me, physically like more athletic. I started basketball so young so like all the skill things, I picked up so early.
"Not saying that he's not. He is very skilled. But I think I was really skilled at a young age. And he just got it all, from the physical part, from being skilled, and he is very heady as a player. I think he's got it.
“I would say he is better than me. I’m not going to tell him that though,” said Brownlee, laughing.
Brownlee never played in the NBA throughout his career, spending a brief time in the NBA G League before taking his act overseas including in the Philippines where he has found a second home.
He hopes that in the future, Brownlee Jr. will have an NBA career or a professional stint, regardless of which sport.
“I hope so,’’ said Brownlee Sr. when asked if he wants his son to be in the NBA. “I don't think he'll be eligible until 2030 or 2031. I think he'll be eligible in that class. So yeah, I hope so. I'm sure he wants to make it to the NBA or make it professional in some type of sport. He is an athlete. He loves to be around sports. So I hope so.”
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