Jaylen Brown may already have earned himself a spot in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame with his play with the Boston Celtics. Yet, the Georgia native still thinks about his legacy with the team and in the sport just the same. And it was likely hard not to on a night that the Celtics and the NBA were honoring the pioneers of the sport who helped integrate the league in the 1950s, many of whom were themselves Celtics.

Brown, who has made a habit of using his platform as a star athlete to improve his local community as well as to influence national concerns on race and equality as well, spoke on his legacy come that day (Sun., Feb. 1) after his Celtics beat the visiting Milwaukee Bucks.

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“As you continue to grow and progress throughout the journey, legacy is something you think about,” explained the Cal alum. “Legacy is something that stands out, you know?”

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 1: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics greets Earl Lloyd, right, the first black player to play in an NBA game after being drafted by the Washington Capitals in 1950, as Chuck Cooper, center, the first black player to be drafted into the NBA by the Boston Celtics with their first pick in 1950, looks on before the inaugural NBA Pioneers Classic between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks honoring the 75th anniversary of the NBA's first black players at TD Garden on February 1, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 1: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics greets Earl Lloyd, right, the first black player to play in an NBA game after being drafted by the Washington Capitals in 1950, as Chuck Cooper, center, the first black player to be drafted into the NBA by the Boston Celtics with their first pick in 1950, looks on before the inaugural NBA Pioneers Classic between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks honoring the 75th anniversary of the NBA’s first black players at TD Garden on February 1, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

“The best legacy you can leave is winning,” added Brown. “On top of winning, it’s also how you affected the community.”

“Two things that I take pride in are being able to win basketball games, winning a championship, and hopefully more, and being able to affect my community in a positive way. As a player, that’s what I invest in, as a Boston Celtic, and member of my family.”

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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: At first-ever NBA Pioneers Game, Jaylen Brown talks legacy with Celtics