Maryland high school basketball stars hope to inspire others

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. ( DC News Now ) –  For Anne Arundel County natives Noah Frayer and Jordan Brown basketball has become a lifestyle, an outlet in difficult moments. As they move into their college careers, it’s inspired them to become an example for others.

The two have played basketball since they were young and continued to excel in the game throughout their high school career at Arundel High School .

Brown’s passion for the game started when he was about two years old. He joined his first AAU team in the third grade. Since then, he’s never put the ball down.

Brown exceeded his expectations when he received several awards throughout his high school career, he even scored a total of 1,000 points.

“Being a thousand-point scorer, not everybody gets to do that, and not every school has a lot of them. That’s definitely a good achievement,” said Brown.

Frayer picked up the basketball in the eighth grade and his passion for the game never stopped. He acknowledges his father’s love for sports played a huge part in his love for the game. He’s received several honorable mentions for his hard work, and he even scored a total of 960 points.

“Basketball was the first sport that I loved,” said Frayer. “I would say just seeing myself get better and achieve the things that I want to achieve, and just the spot that I am in today. I mean, I just look back and the story that I come from and I’m proud of it.”

Now that the two have graduated, they are taking their love for the game to the next level. Brown will attend Darrow School in Albany, NY and Frayer will attend Spire Academy in Ohio this fall.

“I want to have a good college career now, so after college, I want to play overseas, that’s my main goal. I think that’s a really great opportunity to travel the world and play basketball at the same time,” shared Brown.

As they reflect on their skills over the past years, Frayer and Brown recognized that although they truly love and enjoy basketball they realized that they’re also an inspiration for the younger generation.

“Just inspired other people that like the position that I’m in or the position that I will be in in five years, you could be in the same position if you put the work in and stay humble,” said Frayer.

“[It’s about] being yourself and creating a passion for yourself. Whether that’s basketball or whatever you’re doing, other people are going to look at you as an inspiration. So, you know, just [continue] achieving what you can do,” Brown added.

Being a student-athlete was a challenge for Frayer and Brown. Trying to navigate getting good grades, a social life with friends, and spending time with family, while still dedicating time to basketball was not easy but each of them knew there was a bigger picture in their life. They say discipline and support from their loved ones helped a lot.

“My siblings motivate me. Just seeing them every day, smiling when they wake up. and my mom just works hard each and every day and my dad. So that pushes me to keep going forward,” explained Frayer.

As they embark on their new sports and educational journeys at Darrow School and Spire Academy, Frayer and Brown said they’re ready.

“I’m humbled by the chance that I’m getting, I feel like I’m just ready to work, and any opportunities that come my way. I’m ready to accept and take on the challenges that come with it. At the end of the day, it’s going to make me a better person, a better man,” said Frayer.

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