Jaylen Brown, dressed in a two-tone suit of his own design, lighted up at the thought that he’s like the iconic Jay Z line at a 7uice Foundation function of his own planning.

“I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man,” he said proudly. “Yeah I got you.”

Brown will receive a life-changing quantity of money to play basketball somewhere between now and the end of next summer. Basketball allows him to accomplish other things, but other activities are also a part of his life.

“I’m focused on basketball,” he stated following the team’s workout earlier in the day. “But at the same time, like I’m the CEO, so I gotta run my business and make sure some stuff I handle correctly.”

Some people struggle to understand Brown’s business side. When Tommy Heinsohn was selling insurance to make ends meet while also winning championships in the 1960s, there was no such thing as a personal brand. There were no social media platforms to engage with fans. An NBA player’s free time in 2019 is nothing like it was even ten years ago.

Some players spend their time on Twitch. Others, like as Brown, pursue other interests. And Brown wants to make certain that his run goes his way.

“I want to be involved. “It’s my baby,” he explained. “I built my brand with my own two hands, everything you see today.” Everything you know about, whether it’s fashion, education, technology, or anything else, I’ve done solely on my own merit.”

It’s difficult to sum up Brown in a single word, but “aware” may be the finest single articulation of who he is.

He understands the business side of basketball. That’s why he’s not surprised Al Horford abruptly left Boston. Things change quickly in this league, and players owe it to themselves to do what is best for them when their clubs will do the same.

He is aware of his stature and position. He recognizes that he is still young and learning about basketball and life, but he also recognizes that many eyes are following him throughout the room.

“Conducting yourself the right way, handling your business the right way, is important to me,” he remarked. “Not just for me, but the people looking up, coming behind me, the people in my community, or whoever the next kid from Wheeler High School or whoever the next kid coming is, I’m trying to be a role model for him.”

He is conscious of his race and the desire to break down barriers. Virgil Abloh, the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s men’s wear collection, inspires him.

“For him to be the first person of color to be a designer at Louis Vuitton was dope for me to be able to witness, and it gave me so much inspiration,” Brown said last year in an interview. “Just shaking his hand and speaking to him was enough… He just opened so many doors he has no idea.”

Brown is now collaborating with another notable African American designer to develop his fashion career.

“Chris Bevins, he’s an MIT fellow, he helped me think through some of the thoughts that I had,” he stated. “We grew closer during our MIT fellowship. He’s been assisting me, and he also has a line. He is also a fixture in the fashion world.”

Brown eventually becomes conscious of himself.

“When I first got to Boston I was 18 or 19 when I got my first workout and I’m going to be 23 this week,” said Brown. “In the city of Boston, I’ve learned a lot.” It has taught me a great deal. People will say that the years from 18 to 23 are crucial in terms of discovering who you are, growing yourself, and deciding what you want to be in this world.”

It’s all part of the process. Brown has definitely matured on the court. He’s a better player this year than he was last. Some of this could be attributable to his stint with the US Men’s National Basketball Team in China. His exposure to other great coaches, as well as being pushed to play a different role, has undoubtedly improved his on-court performance.

It also aided his development as a designer.

“I was in China for about a month with Team USA and I was plotting and planning this stuff out,” Brown explained, adding that he pulled out his sketchbook and came up with the idea for his two gala outfits. “I was like, I had a lot of time on my hands so I just stayed in my room most of the time and I designed these suits while I was out there.”

For the Celtics gala, he designed a green and black outfit. His purple and blue attire was coordinated for his 7uice Foundation gala at the Encore casino.

For the time being, fashion is a pastime, but who knows where it will lead. Perhaps there will be more suits. Perhaps a women’s clothes line will be created. Brown is nearly 23 years old, so he has plenty of time to sort things out. He’ll read, sketch, and maybe take a lesson or two along the road.

And maybe one day he’ll design an outfit for a buddy.

“If they want me to,” remarked Brown. Always the businessman, he added, with a giggle, “for a nice fee.”