Jaylen Brown teamed up with social media influencer Zachary Dereniowski for a surprise that turned a casual meeting at Boston Common into something a single mother of four will not forget anytime soon.
The pair ended up gifting the woman a brand-new 2027 Nissan Sentra after a conversation that started with her and one of her children simply wanting a picture with Dereniowski, known online as MD Motivator. What followed was a slow build to an emotional reveal that left both mother and child in tears.
Dereniowski first crossed paths with Brown at an event in Boston and asked whether he wanted to help give away a car to a family or some people. Brown agreed, setting the stage for the surprise that came later.
When Dereniowski met the woman and her child at Boston Common, he spoke with them and learned about their family. The mother explained that she was raising four children - three boys and a girl - on her own, and that the family did not have a car.
From there, the moment became more personal. Dereniowski offered the child a chance to get his shoes signed by Brown, but the plan went beyond an autograph. After Brown met the family, he recognized the mother from her work at a Boys and Girls Club and acknowledged the positive work she had done in the community.
Instead of ending the interaction there, Brown and Dereniowski blindfolded the mother and child and brought them to the car. When they revealed the 2027 Nissan Sentra was theirs, the reaction was immediate. The mother and child both broke down crying after realizing what had just happened.
Shane Sullivan of Sullivan Brothers Toyota was also involved in providing the vehicle, which turned a simple stop at Boston Common into a life-changing moment for the family.
The video was most likely recorded before Brown’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers from the Boston Celtics, and it also reflected his connection to Boston. Brown spent his first ten NBA seasons with the Celtics after being selected third overall in the 2016 NBA Draft. He went on to win an NBA championship and Finals MVP before the Celtics traded him to the Sixers this offseason.
Still, the story had nothing to do with what Brown does on the floor.
Dereniowski has built a huge following online by starting with small conversations or requests and then surprising people with major gifts or financial help. This time, Brown helped raise the stakes, and the result was a mother leaving Boston Common with a car she did not have when she arrived.
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