BY JOANNA CHADWICK

Just a few years ago, in 2019, the Derby girl’s basketball team had a player represent them in the McDonald’s All-American game. In 2023, the Panthers have another one. 

It is amazing enough to have two McDonald’s All-Americans from the same program, but when it comes from the same family, everything is even sweeter. 

Derby’s Addy Brown follows in the footsteps of her sister, Kennedy, and has been nominated to play in the McDonald’s All-American game. 

“I was super excited when I saw I made the McDonald’s All-American team,” said Brown, who has signed with Iowa State. “This has been a goal of mine for a very long time, so I was also grateful that I was selected.”

Brown had the foundation laid by her sister but doesn’t feel like she has to compete with what her sister accomplished in any way.

“We are two completely different players, and we will have different accomplishments,” she said.  

Brown is excited about her most recent accomplishment but knows she has more work to check off some more goals. 

“I’ve been able to accomplish a lot here at Derby High School over my career, but a state championship is still on my list,” Brown said. 

With a 10-2 record and averaging a double-double with 20.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, Brown garners a lot of attention every game. But she also knows she has the tools to create for others as she also averages 4.1 assists per game and often handles the ball for the team.

“I don’t think too much into teams keying in on me on defense because I know that I have four other teammates who can step up on any given night,” Brown said. 

Brown has played a lot of high-level basketball in her career and has developed a mindset that has helped her carry Derby to the state tournament these last couple of years. 

“My mindset to staying dominant before every game is to stay aggressive,” Brown said. “I play my best when I have an aggressive mindset, and it helps to get my teammates going as well.” 

Brown knows that in order to get that elusive state championship ring, she has to be at her best.

The senior plans to continue to just do that as she works every day to better herself and better her teammates along the way.