Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Talks Donald Trump, Racism In New Interview

The Boston Celtics will hit the international stage on Thursday when they face the Philadelphia 76ers in London, but Jaylen Brown's comments in a new interview with a UK newspaper are already reaching global heights.

Donald Trump has made racism much more tolerable, according to the 21-year-old guard, comments to The Guardian.

"Racism definitely exists across America today. Of course it’s changed a lot -- and my opportunities are far greater than they would have been 50 years ago. So some people think racism has dissipated or no longer exists. But it’s hidden in more strategic places," Brown told The Guardian prior to the team leaving for Britain.

"You have less people coming to your face and telling you certain things. But Trump has made it a lot more acceptable for racists to speak their minds."

Brown says he was the target of racist behavior growing up in Marietta, Georgia.

"I’ve had people call me the n-word. I’ve had people come to basketball games dressed in monkey suits with a jersey on," he said. "I’ve had people paint their face black at my games. I’ve had people throw bananas in the stands."

The watershed moment for Jaylen Brown on President Trump was his exchange with LaVar Ball on Twitter.

"There have been multiple situations where it’s been ridiculous but that one was like: 'OK I’m done. I’m done listening to anything you have to say,'" explained Brown. "A 19-year-old kid makes a mistake overseas and [Trump] demands an apology from his dad? I think Trump’s unfit to lead."

The Celtics take on the 76ers, live from London's O2 arena at 3pm eastern, 2:30pm pre-game with Grande & Max right here on 98.5 The Sports Hub.