Kaden Brown has a new look as he heads to Wright State

Kaden Brown, a Grand Rapids Catholic Central grad, goes through a workout at MSA Woodland on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. He is a freshman now at Wright State University. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Kaden Brown worked up a sweat as he put up shot after shot during a workout on Monday. His fluid shot is the same and so is his work ethic.

But there is something very different about the recent Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School grad.

He shaved his head of his trademark dreadlocks and grew a goatee.

“They were just getting kind of annoying since they were always hanging in my face,” Brown said. “I just wanted to get a new look. I grew out the facial hair, too. Leaving high school, I could grow it out a little bit. We weren’t allowed to have it at Catholic.”

Brown is a freshman at Wright State University, a Division I basketball school in Dayton, Ohio. But he’s home for a few weeks before classes start.

“I’ve been there all summer. I moved in June 4th,” he said. “They just gave us the last three weeks of August off to get ready for the school year.”

Catholic Central’s Kaden Brown has his dreadlocks fly in his face as he plays against South Christian on Jan. 24, 2023. Defending him are Jake Vermaas, left, and Carson Vis. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Brown was named Michigan’s Division 2 Player of the Year his senior season at Catholic Central after averaging 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.0 steals per game. 

But he’s not sure what his role will be at Wright State, or if he’ll redshirt.

“I’m not sure yet,” he said. “I’m just working hard every day and be the best I can be.”

After he was done with his workout on Monday at MBA Woodland with trainer Jorddan Myrick, Brown sat in the bleachers and watched a group of West Michigan high school stars play in a pickup game. One of the players was his high school teammate Durral Brooks, who has committed to the University of Michigan.

What’s it like to watch his buddies play as he moves on to college?
“It’s a crazy feeling for sure,” Brown said. “I’m going on to the next chapter of my life. I know West Michigan is in good hands with these guys. I can’t wait to see how they do this season.”

So were people surprised with his new look?
“I wouldn’t say people didn’t recognize me, it was more of a surprise,” Brown said. “They were shocked. They didn’t think I’d really do it. My mom was a little sad because she was the one who did my hair. All the time she spend re-twisting (the dreds).”

Kaden Brown, a Grand Rapids Catholic Central grad, works out at MSA Woodland on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).