About US

The Brown Academy of Learning & Leadership is founded by Rich Brown. Through Brown’s professional basketball playing career, Rich has met many aspiring youth basketball players from multiple countries who have aspirations of studying at a College/University and playing basketball in the United States. “I saw through my experiences that although these young student/athletes may qualify both academically and athletically to play ball here, the light at the end of the tunnel is dim without having the right connections and resources. I believe my true calling on this earth is to give back and I want to be able to help bridge the gap and provide these young men/women an opportunity to learn and receive maximum exposure to fulfill a dream. The American dream.” Rich would never be able to complete this mission alone. With the help of the entire community, including longtime mentor and coach Rob Powell, best friend and South Country School District Board of Education Trustee Raf-Yel Flippen, respected Bellport community family Rob and Demetria Guirantes along with the rest of the South Country community.

The student athletes will come to Long Island, New York to do a post graduate/gap year after they have graduated with diplomas from their respective schools. The goal is to transition the student athletes to life here where they will live, train, take their SAT, attend college fares all in hopes of studying here in the United States. The student athletes will also train and play in a year round basketball schedule in hopes of also being recruited to earn both academic and athletic scholarships to study at colleges and universities.

The student athletes have started their years here and have already gained the support from the community by participating in multiple community events. Below are some pictures from the non profit Bellport Youth Basketball League in which the young men serve as basketball coaches and mentors for the youth children in the community.