Braun Levi Was a Friend to All

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Braun Levi was much more than simply a talented high school tennis player with a bright future ahead of him. He was respected by his peers and loved by everyone who knew him. He was only one month away from graduating from Loyola High and was all set to go to the University of Virginia but all that changed in an instant when he was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver while walking with friends on South Sepulveda Boulevard in Manhattan Beach early Sunday morning, sending shockwaves through the Pacific Palisades community where he grew up as well as the South Bay, where his family had relocated after losing their home in the Palisades Fire. 

“Everyone says Oh, he’s the tennis player and a smart kid but he was way more than that,” his father Dan said in an interview with Fox 11 News the following day. “His personality was off the charts. Everybody loved him, not just the athletes or cool kids, but everybody.”

Braun’s mother Jennifer feared the worst when she got the dreaded call and echoed her husband’s sentiment that “everyone thinks they were his best friend.” His older sister Adelle was visibly moved by the outpouring of love and support—a testament to the lives her brother impacted.    

“I’ve gotten countless messages from people I’ve never even met before just telling me stories and sending me photos,” she said.      

Levi was extremely proud to  be a Cub, going to numerous sporting events, sitting in the bleachers and cheering his fellow athletes on. He was a regular at volleyball matches—a sport Loyola has long excelled in. He met many of his friends through tennis and despite his competitiveness on the court, when a match was over he was the first to shake his opponent’s hand. To those who knew him best, his positive attitude was what stood out most.

Loyola High released the following statement: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Braun Levi, a cherished member of our Loyola High community. Braun was a young man of integrity, kindness and strength. He was admired by faculty, respected by his peers, and beloved by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Levi family during this devastating time.”

A vigil was held Sunday night on the Loyola campus and among the hundreds of students, parents and faculty in attendance were Palisades High tennis players Lorenzo Brunkow and Neel Joshi  and Jack Thomas, quarterback of the football team,  who  transferred to Pali High from Loyola after his sophomore year.

“He was so cheerful and present in every step,” said Joshi, who was devastated upon hearing the news that his friend was gone. “He made each memory I hold with him so bright, not only because of his outgoing charisma, but because of the compassion he carried with him. He was goofy and joyful, even in times where our heads were screwed on tight (during a doubles match), we still found laughter in each element of our friendship. We’d joke about the wins and losses we had over one another over the eight plus years we’d been competing with one another, whether it be in USTA tournaments or high school matches. In the summer of 2023 I saw Braun almost single every day, going to tennis training in Burbank with Lorenzo, sweating our guts out in the valley heat for four hours followed by a gym workout. Braun always walked in with the same contagious grin on his face, causing all of us to smile no matter what mood we were in. Braun’s life was action packed and exciting. Each weekend a new activity to enlighten himself, whether it be dressing up in a pink suit for a derby race, being the manager (sometimes player) of Loyola’s exceptional volleyball team, or helping orphans getting medical help with his family, Braun juiced his life to the max.”

Brunkow added: “Braun was the best guy I know. He was one of the smartest, funniest and nicest guys all in one. The spirits were always very high when he was around and he made training and playing tennis very fun together.”

Loyola principal Jamal Adams wrote : “Braun was a shining presence in our Loyola family,” Adams wrote, “bringing light, joy, and inspiration to everyone he touched.” 

Tennis coach Brian Held, who coached Levi for four years and also got to know him as a student, having taught several of his classes.

“He was a four-year starter who played both singles and doubles for us,” Held told the Post. “He was such an unusual leader as a freshman and I made him a captain as a sophomore. He was  unique the way he interacted with everyone on the team, from the best players to the last players… he earned everyone’s respect. Everyone mattered to him. All of his opponents felt special too. He won the Mission League doubles title four years in a row and his list of accomplishments for Loyola tennis is vast. He’s probably the most decorated player to ever play for the school. We’re all stunned and heartbroken for this tragedy. He was the most amazing all-around kid and leader you could possibly imagine. Everyone loved Braun. He was just that type of kid.  As one of his classroom teachers as well, I witnessed how he brought joy to every group of people he was part of—a sentiment I’m confident will be shared by many.”

Braun’s doubles partner at Loyola the last two years and one of his best friends growing up has been fellow Palisadian Cooper Schwartz, who also lost his home in the Palisades Fire. The two advanced to the semifinals of the prestigious Ojai Tournament less than two weeks ago.

“In our last match, all I had to do was look at him and he knew the play we were going to use,” Schwartz shared. “Braun was everyone’s best friend on and off the court. All you had to do was look at him and his smile was the promise that he would do anything for you. I love you Braunny.”

Cooper’s mom Suze enjoyed seeing her son and his partner play: “Watching Braun on court was an adrenaline rush. He never gave up, going after balls you’d think were impossible to reach and somehow turning them into winners. His mom and I would nervously watch every point like it was match point, constantly moving around thinking our energy made an impact. He was amazing, powerful and laser-focused but what I admired most wasn’t his talent, but his sportsmanship. I often saw him clap for the other team when they made a great point.And, whether he won the point or lost it, whether it was his fault or Cooper’s, they would tap hands after every single point. It was their way of saying ‘We’re in this together.’ Braun played with power, heart, grace and had fun doing it. He was genuine, nice and smart. On the last day of his life, Braun was doing what came naturally to him—serving others. He was feeding the homeless on Skid Row. The Loyola motto is ‘Men for and with Others’ and that was Braun to his core. If tennis begins with “love all”—Braun truly lived that way. He loved all and we all loved him.”