Philadelphia 76ers forward Jaylen Brown added an unexpected chapter to his Nigerian trip by making his boxing debut in a recreational sparring session with local heavyweight Solomon Imoleayo.
Brown shared video of the bout on Instagram, appearing in headgear as he traded punches. He later joked in the comments that he had done “0 prep for this.”
The exhibition carried branding from his 7uice Foundation and served as a personal tribute to his late father, Quenton Marselles Brown, a former professional heavyweight boxer.
NBA star Jaylen Brown made his boxing debut in Nigeria 👀
The sparring session formed part of a broader visit blending sport, community work and cultural reconnection. Brown also ran a youth basketball camp, working directly with young Nigerian players and sharing training tips.
The highlight of the trip came earlier when he was received by the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at the palace in Ile-Ife. The monarch bestowed on him the Yoruba name “Babatunde,” meaning “the father has returned,” in recognition of his African heritage.
Brown’s Nigeria stop comes after a major off-season move. Traded from the Boston Celtics, where he earned Finals MVP honours during the 2024 championship run, the 28-year-old is set to join LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia.
The star-studded 76ers core is expected to be one of the most formidable in the league as the new NBA season approaches.
