JARED Brown, the spitfire lefty guard from Ateneo de Manila University, has opted to put an end to his brief but sweet stay with the Blue Eagles and pursue his professional career.
The announcement was made in an Instagram post on Friday, claiming that his return is over and that he will now follow his professional aspirations, while thanking the community for their support over the season.
“I just want to say thank you for all of the support throughout this year. I am extremely blessed and honored to have put on an Ateneo jersey because of the rich and legendary tradition this University has. The love of everyone has been amazing and with that I am forever grateful,” he wrote in the message.
The 5-foot-10 guard transferred from Westmont College, where he played three years before joining the Katipunan squad. His tenure, however, may have been shorter than intended.
“I know my time as a blue eagle has been short but within this year I can genuinely say I have been a part of a family and a brotherhood that I will cherish forever,” he said of his brief stint with the Blue Eagles.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
“For my future I will be transitioning and preparing to becoming a professional which has been a long life goal of mine. I would not have been able to be in this situation without the support of my family, coaches, teammates, and management,” he continued.
Brown put up a magnificent basketball performance during his lone season with the Blue Eagles, heavily shooting the lights out from beyond the arc while averaging 9.8 points, 2.33 assists, and 1.73 rebounds per game.
Furthermore, he believes that now is the perfect time for him to extend his wings even further, having stated his ambition to turn pro, a lifetime passion of his that he is keen to pursue.
“It is God’s plan for me to start the next chapter of my life and I am super excited for what the future holds. Thank you Ateneo. OBF,” he said.
What’s next for the Ateneo Blue Eagles?
With Brown’s announcement that he will forego his last playing year, Ateneo may suffer a series of blows, as Kai Ballungay just revealed that he will follow his professional basketball career dreams as well.
Meanwhile, veteran Chris Koon has already stated his intention of returning to the Blue Eagles and maybe continue what they’ve begun. Mason Amos is also someone to keep an eye on, since he has certainly piqued the interest of other suitors.
With the departure of two important players from the Katipunan-based side, the Ateneans and the rest of the UAAP community may have to wait and see if the 2024 season would be a rebuilding season for the former champions.
The bigger question is where Jared Brown will take his talents. The PBA will always be an option, but considering his stellar performance with the Blue Eagles, Brown will likely catch the attention of international teams.
