For the last four years, at any Tennessee High basketball game, spectators could catch number three making fast steals and scoring high numbers. As his high school career comes to a close, senior

Colin Brown starts the next leg of his lifelong sport.

This April, Brown committed to Carson-Newman on a full-ride scholarship for both his athletic and academic achievements.

“It surprised me,” said Brown on receiving the offer.

Brown is committed to starting basketball in the fall, however, he wasn’t always expecting that to be his sport.

“I fell in love with [basketball] when I was very young,” said Brown. “I always thought I was gonna play football when I was older; I always loved football.”

In the end, his love for basketball remained on top. After playing wide receiver in middle school, Brown quit football and continued to pursue his career in basketball, as it “takes [his] mind off a lot of things.”

“I don’t get stressed out much from it. A lot of people, sports stress them out, but it’s kind of the opposite for me,” said Brown.

After starting for the Vikings all four years, Brown hopes to gain playing time this upcoming season.

“They are graduating seven people, so I think if I go down there and play how I know I can play, I think I could possibly start, but either way, I think I’ll play a lot my freshman year,” said Brown.

Brown talked to multiple other schools, including ETSU and Radford; however, in the end, he decided to choose Carson-Newman, primarily because of the financial package and its proximity to home.

“Well, I feel like I fit in there well,” said Brown. “And a lot of people I know are going to the [University of Tennessee], and I feel like it’s not a far drive from [there].”

His older brother, Brandon Brown, remains his biggest influence in the sport and is what got him involved with the sport to begin with.

“He was always playing basketball,” said Brown. “Then, when I got old enough to kind of see what was going on, I would always see him working out, and I just kind of picked up on it.”

Currently, Brandon plays basketball at UVA Wise: a conference rival for Carson-Newman. And, sure enough, the expected season opener will be nothing short of exciting, as Carson-Newman takes on UVA Wise this fall.

“That’s our first game. I’m excited,” said Brown. “I’ve always wanted to play against him.”

Closing this chapter and opening up the next, Brown continues to carry his love for his sport with him and looks forward to getting to continue pursuing it

“These last four years at THS have no doubt been the best years of my life and have made me into the person I am today,” said Brown. “I’m going to miss it so much, but I am so excited for these next four years and what’s to come.”