Lonzo Ball, Markelle Fultz to Attend Jaylen Brown's 'Welcome to the NBA Night'

Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown will host a "Welcome to the NBA Night" event for rookies and young players at the 2017 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, aimed at encouraging bonding opportunities and mentorship.

"There are a lot of young guys here, and there is nothing to do in Vegas if you're under 21," Brown told Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. "I just want to do something. Hang out, talk to them. Build relationships. I'm not 21. [Celtics teammate] Jayson [Tatum] is not 20. A lot of the draft picks are young. I'm going to let them bring whoever they want. Food is on me. Everything."

Every top-five pick from June's draft, including Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball, has committed to attending the event. Jonathan Isaac, Harry Giles, Justin Jackson and Malik Monk also confirmed they would be attending. Brown's event will be held at an undisclosed location at an unknown date.

Hall of Fame guard Isiah Thomas and NBPA executive vice president of strategy and development Chrysa Chin will be on hand to speak with the players, as will a number of players from the 2016 rookie class.

“One of the main things you need to know is nothing is guaranteed,” Brown said when asked what advice he'd give to rookies. “Fight for everything that you can. Nothing is given to you. Even if it appears given to you, it’s not. You have to scrap for everything, because there is somebody coming behind you and there is somebody in front of you.”

Brown averaged 6.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per game during his rookie season. He has already taken Celtics' first-round pick Jayson Tatum under his wing in summer league stints in Utah and Las Vegas, despite the two ostensibly playing the same position. Brown told Spears he hopes to someday become NBPA president and help make the game better for fellow players. 

“That’s something that I’ve always had my eyes set on,” Brown said. “It’s a great position, and I think there is a lot of change that could still be made in the league. I don’t want to say too much … but I think I could be a great advocate for the players and represent the league well one day.”