Maliq Brown reveals the first thing that left him speechless about Spurs

Maliq Brown is preparing to begin his NBA journey with the San Antonio Spurs after joining a team that is coming off an outstanding season. San Antonio won the Western Conference title before eventually falling to the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals. The franchise then selected Brown with the 44th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

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During his first media availability as a member of the Spurs, Brown was asked about his initial impressions of the franchise. Brown explained that one of the first things he noticed was seeing Spurs legends Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili at the facility.

“First thing I definitely realised when I first got here was just seeing Tim and Manu here earlier this morning, just showing the relationships they have with the past teams and just showing how they always come back and show their faces,” Brown said.

The Spurs’ ability to maintain strong relationships with franchise legends continues to separate the organization from many teams across the NBA. While retired superstars often move away from daily team activities once their playing careers end, San Antonio has built an environment where former players remain actively involved.

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That culture was established under Gregg Popovich. The former Spurs coach has long encouraged former Spurs stars to return whenever they choose, whether it’s to work out, mentor younger players, or simply spend time around the team. 

For a rookie like Brown, arriving at the practice facility on his very first day and unexpectedly seeing two of the greatest players in NBA history casually working around the building serves as an unforgettable introduction. Having direct and informal access to legends provides an invaluable learning opportunity that very few NBA organizations can offer.

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