Julius Price dribbles up the court, creates some room and swishes a 3-pointer.

Malcolm Price makes a similar play on the next trip up the court, but finds a lane and attacks the basket.

It’s a common sight to see highlight reel plays at a St. Joseph basketball game. It certainly brings the crowd to its feet.

But the connection between Julius and Malcolm is more than just chemistry on the court.

Back home they call it broderskärlek.

To everyone here, it’s just called brotherly love.

Julius and Malcolm Price were born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden. Julius is two years older than Malcolm.

Their father, Demetrius, is a musical artist who moved there when he was younger from Mountain View, California, just northwest of San Jose.

Along with passion for soul music, Demetrius played basketball in high school and introduced them to the game when they were young.

Julius first picked up a basketball when he was 10 years old. Malcolm was eight.

“I went with what was popular here and I already saw that the game was going to progress,” Demetrius Price said over a Zoom call. “I showed them the fundamentals and then they just fell in love with it.”

The popularity of basketball in Sweden has been on the rise since 2020, with more than 130,000 Swedes playing, according to the Swedish National Sports Federation.

“Basketball is the most growing sport in Sweden right now,” said their mother, Berit.

As the years went on the boys’ skills improved, but they also knew it was going to take some hard work and dedication.

“I would emphasize practice, practice, practice and they gravitated to being the best,” Demetrius Price said. “It took them to another level.”

While the United States was featuring high profile NBA stars such as Lebron James, Steph Curry and others, Sweden’s style of play was different.

“You use a lot more basketball IQ,” Malcolm Price said. “The players are a lot more athletic here, although there were some shooters (back in Sweden).”

Despite playing a different style of basketball the boys succeeded. But their family understood the best possible decision was for them to come to the United States.

“I felt here in Sweden was blocking their opportunities,” Demetrius Price said. “I wanted to get them there earlier so they could have an opportunity for college.”

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Price had a contact who knew Righetti High School’s baseball coach. Eventually they got ahold of St. Joseph basketball coach Tom Mott, and on an international basketball tournament trip to Santa Barbara, Julius Price visited a couple different schools in the area.

St. Joseph seemed like a good fit and younger brother Malcolm joined him one year later, but it wasn’t easy on anyone.

For Julius and Malcolm is was giving up seeing their family and friends.

For their parents, it was seeing their sons go build a bright future away from home.

“I miss them so much,” Berit said. “I”m just glad they are in a good school, getting a good education and doing what they love.”

Together they live with teammate Gunner Morinini and his parents, who serve as their host family.

New relationships began even though they were in a new home.

The boys started to thrive at St. Joseph both on and off the court, despite the fact that the two never really played on the same team before because of the age difference.

Julius averages 21.8 points per game this season and will play at Stanford University next year. Malcolm increased his offensive production from 11.3 points per game as a sophomore to 20.9 points per game this season. Both of them also lead the team in 3-point shooting.

“If I had 15 of them, I’d love it,” Mott said jokingly. “Both are great kids. They are so easy to coach and they listen.”

With Julius being two years older, he’s also two inches taller and tends to play more physical ball. Both can easily play multiple positions but Malcolm primarily runs point.

And they both showed this season has been special.

The Knights are 29-2 and ranked sixth in all of California, according to Max Preps.

Julius scored a season-high 38 points against Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy (TX) back in December, while Malcolm just scored his career-high with 41 points against Bakersfield Centennial.

The two brothers know their time together on the court is coming to an end but before it’s over, the two will play one last CIF-Central Section Division 1 title game against Buchanan.

“This is definitely been an amazing experience (playing with my brother),” Julius said. “I know the road is ending soon so we have to make the most of it.”

Their parents won’t be there if they raise a championship trophy, but the two brothers know the decision to move from Sweden to Santa Maria has paid off.

They will sure jump on the phone to FaceTime and celebrate no matter what happens.

After all, the Price family is built from togetherness and community.

Or as those in Sweden call it, familjegemenskap.