Brownlee says he relished father’s role during hiatus
Justin Brownlee has been called many things throughout his time in the Philippines. He has been called a king by Barangay Ginebra’s diehard followers, and a hero by fans of a national program that has been yearning for a place on the international stage.
He has been those for quite a while now. But when a flunked doping test threatened to strip him of the game that has brought him around the world and given him a prosperous life, Brownlee found a chance to become something he hasn’t been able to be while plying his trade away from home.
“That’s the most enjoyable moment throughout my whole break—watching Jye and Justin (Jr.) play basketball,” he told the Inquirer with a wide smile.
‘Follow in my footsteps’
“I definitely want them to follow in my footsteps when it comes to basketball. Whenever you see that in your kids, it’s like seeing a reflection of yourself. It’s something you truly enjoy. You want to see them do good and great.”
Brownlee went back to the United States throughout his Asian Games episode, keeping himself away from the public eye. The only times he was active on social media was when he was sharing Instagram stories of his whip getting tricked out and him cheering his two sons playing hoops.
His eldest son, 12-year-old Justin Jr., has been a fixture in Ginebra games. The youngest, 6-year-old Jye, could be most remembered by Filipino fans by rooting for Brownlee’s Meralco counterpart Tony Bishop. Jr. during the Governors’ Cup championship series two years ago. INQ
