“Every time I put on this jersey, I feel like she’s still with me.”
For St. Bonaventure forward and co-captain Noel Brown, basketball has taken on a deeper meaning — it’s a connection to the person who meant the most to him. After losing his mother, Kim-Marie Brown, to cancer last year, he changed his jersey number to 24, a tribute to her Sept. 24 birthday and the unbreakable bond they shared.
This decision wasn’t made lightly. Brown had been considering the switch long before he finally made it official.
“She was an incredible example for me — how to carry myself in any situation,” Brown said. “She always taught me that the first person to turn to was God, and that’s what she did. We had some very personal talks during her fight, and I told her, ‘I’m looking to you to see how to handle this.’ And she did — better than anyone could have.”
Even in her toughest moments, Brown’s mother remained strong, leaving a lasting impression on him.
“She took on the hardest responsibility anyone could, and she did it with flying colors,” he said. “She was just a fantastic person. Any good quality you see in me, magnify that by 10 — that was her.”
Her resilience shaped not only the person Brown is today but also the player he has become. He carries her lessons with him every time he steps onto the court.
“She really is the reason I play the way I play, and who I play for,” Brown said. “She’s always been proud of me — not just because of wins or stats, but because I always gave my best effort. That’s what she wanted — to see me give my all.”
Brown remembers his mother as someone who pushed him to be confident in himself, a mentality that now fuels his approach to the game.
“She always told me to go for it. Not to be scared or hesitant,” he said. “That’s how she raised me — to put my best foot forward and trust myself. She didn’t want me holding back.”
Her presence is still felt in the smallest moments. Whether it’s during a high-stakes possession or in the routine of daily life, Brown finds himself thinking about her constantly.
“Sometimes, I’ll make a play, or we’ll miss a shot, and I’ll catch myself thinking of little inside jokes we’d have,” he said with a smile. “She’s been with me through everything. That hasn’t changed.”
Even though she isn’t physically in the stands, Brown knows she is still watching, still cheering for him like she always did.
“Last year, there were some games she couldn’t make it to in person, but she was always rooting for me through the TV,” he said. “I know she’s still doing that now. I know she’s still with me.”
As a graduate student, Brown isn’t sure what comes after this season. The future is uncertain, but one thing isn’t — his mother’s influence will always be a part of him.
“I know she’s watching,” he said. “And I know she’d be telling me to keep pushing, to keep being the best version of myself. That’s what I’m going to do.”
Every game, every play, every moment on the court is an opportunity to honor Kim-Marie Brown. And as long as No. 24 is stitched onto his jersey, he’ll always be playing for something bigger than wins and losses.
