Charlotte, North Carolina –
It’s fair to say that Milan Brown stands out as one of the most intriguing newcomers in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Consider this: The Baltimore native notched over 2,000 points during her time at Mercy High School, leading to her jersey being retired and achieving an impressive 4.1 GPA.
But that’s not all. She’s also a published author with two books to her name.
Brown looks up to fellow Baltimorean Angel Reese and compares her style of play to Russell Westbrook. Interestingly, she has ambitions of becoming the governor of Maryland by the age of 40.
Amidst 33 Division I scholarship offers, Brown opted to kick off her college journey at Wake Forest. This is notable since the team has struggled recently, posting a record of 16-45 over the last two seasons and making just one NCAA Tournament appearance since 1989.
So, why Wake Forest for this talented athlete who clearly excels academically?
“I chose Wake Forest for both its athletic and academic offerings,” Brown shared with SB Nation. “I seriously considered a few Ivy League options, but Wake’s inclusion in the ACC—arguably the best conference—was a huge draw. It’s about being on that prestigious stage and facing top-tier competition.”
During her final game in high school, Brown broke the long-standing scoring record at Mercy by making three consecutive free throws. The previous record was held by Rosemary Kociolek, who had a celebrated career at West Virginia.
In high school, Brown scored frequently at the foul line and plans to continue this trend at Wake Forest, looking forward to making her first college free throw this season.
And while she’s not necessarily intimidated by the physical aspect of the game, she embraces it.
“Every time I drive into the paint, I’m aiming for a score,” Brown said. “I’m not shying away from contact.”
In this respect, Brown sees herself as similar to Westbrook, yet her fearlessness might also be inspired by Reese, whose games she never missed during middle school.
Westbrook, a seasoned NBA player and former MVP, is known for his aggressive playing style and holds a record for free throw attempts. Brown, aiming to follow in those footsteps, also wears the jersey number zero.
It’s quite rare for coaches to bring freshmen to the media spotlight before they’ve even played a minute. The fact that fourth-year Wake head coach Megan Gebbia brought Brown to Charlotte hints at the significant role she anticipates for the rookie this season.
Brown may have the potential to leave a similar imprint as another small guard from Baltimore who once played in Winston-Salem, had his jersey retired, and spent 14 years in the NBA.
In addition to boosting her own scoring and that of her team, Brown is eager to help expand the Demon Deacons’ fan base.
As fierce as she is on the court, Brown seems equally dedicated off of it.
Her books, “Step into History: VR Adventure” and “The Woman Who Changed the World: A Virtual Adventure,” focus on African American history and the contributions of significant women, respectively.
“I wanted to write these books because a lot of kids in my community lack representation and knowledge about the rich African American heritage,” Brown explained. “I aimed to connect those stories with the remarkable achievements of individuals.”
At Wake Forest, she’s pursuing a double major in Business and Political Science, with big dreams ahead.
“I aspire to be a politician,” Brown stated.
But before diving into a political career, she’s focused on turning Wake into a competitive force. To help center herself during games, she plans to listen to music by R&B artist Daniel Caesar.
