Joplin’s beloved son didn’t choose just to play ball, he came to build an empire. Brown brought his experiences with the love of ball onto the court from hometown Las Vegas Nev., all the way to his new home in Joplin Mo.

Coming from humble beginnings and raised by mother Susan and Arthur Brown, 19-year old Charlie Brown is the last of five children. Brown has always envisioned himself playing ball and making a difference in his community. “My pops always told me, you’re as good as the the work you put in”.

Like most kids entering college, Brown wasn’t one hundred percent sure if majoring in business was the right path for him. His father was a businessman, so he thought “why not major in business,” until recently discovering communication was his strength. Brown loved playing basketball and his family liked watching him play. His oldest brother, Marcus Brown, passed years ago, which motivated Brown at a very young age to push harder and to stay on the right path. Brown states, “My family is my safe-haven, they have my back at all times”.

In high school, Brown was offered a full ride scholarship to many division II universities including Missouri Southern for their academics and athletics program. Despite being one of the best basketball players in Joplin, Mo., he chose to take Southern’s offer. Brown was a four-year starter for coach Jeff Williams at Joplin High School. He was a four-time All-Conference and four-time All-District member. Brown ended his high school career with 1,865 points, averaging 23 points, and 5 boards. “Coach Williams was a big inspiration for me, he seen the talent in me”, Brown included, “we had that father son relationship, every player wishes to have.”

Charlie’s first year of college took a huge toll on him, from the early morning practices to washing his own clothes. “My freshman year college experience was difficult for me to adapt to, it’s different doing everything on my own,” Brown stated. In his first season as a Lion, he saw action in 30 games with one start averaging 15 minutes per game, while putting up six points. During the 2014-2015 season Brown chipped in 25 boards, 23 assist, and 13 steals.

Unfortunately, Brown didn’t have the dream start to his collegiate career that he’d like because he fractured his tibia early in the season. “I went extra hard in rehab, so that I could be stronger than before and better for the next season.” He informed me that he visits a physician twice a year to check on how loose the screws in his knees are. “I take things more seriously in some aspects and not as serious in other aspects,” Brown added. “I’m not giving up on ball, I’m going to be loyal to the game because it has been there for me from the beginning. I’ve learned a lot from my emotions, I have a whole new perspective!”

Brown share’s that the 2015-2016 Lion basketball season will be a great year for him. Over the summer he worked out three times a day and trained his body. “I worked with Cam everyday! He taught me, self-discipline, time management, and that you can’t get better by just looking, you have to go and put the work in.” Cameron Cornelius, a former Southern basketball player, helped the young, talented, ball player stay in shape and craft his game. “The only thing on a shark’s mind, is to eat!”, Brown says. “Once I step inside those four lines, it’s complete tunnel vision from there.”

This young visionary believes that; the mind is a weapon, if you use it to it’s full potential and stay positive everything will work out! Brown adds that building a relationship outside of basketball is important.

“I am not dating,” Brown admits while letting a chuckle out. “I spend most of my time with my teammates or listening to music. Eevery relationship can be balanced as long as it’s 50/50.”

The skilled sophomore plans on playing basketball until his shot clock runs out, but until then, Brown intends on taking communication courses and working for the Southern newspaper, The Chart, for the rest of his college experience.

“I often think about life after basketball,” the former Lion admires to become a sports journalist, if professional basketball isn’t his calling.

“I enjoy writing, I should’ve started earlier.” Although the aspiring basketball player has other dreams, he also believes that kids should be listened to and lead towards success. Brown states, “If I could teach one kid off the street one thing, I would teach them how to shoot a basketball.”

Basketball hasn’t just saved Charlie Brown’s life, but he believes that it is the key to saving an another kid’s life. Brown ended this interview with, “It’s mind over matter, if you put love into the game, the game will love you back!”