Who is Christian Braun? Revisiting Nuggets rookie stats, draft, college and more after monster Game 3
Christian Braun #ChristianBraun
The Denver Nuggets are two wins away from an NBA championship after cruising to victory over the Heat in Game 3 in Miami.
While Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led the way, they got an invaluable contribution off the bench in the form of rookie Christian Braun, who chipped in 15 points and four rebounds off the bench on a scorching 7-of-8 shooting from the field.
The 22-year-old is no stranger to winning, with his resume including three high school state titles and an NCAA championship.
If the Nuggets can lift the Larry O’Brien trophy this season, Braun will become just the sixth player in NBA history to win an NCAA championship and an NBA championship in consecutive seasons.
MORE: Why Jokic and Murray’s two-man game could be the difference in Finals
Who is Christian Braun?
Braun was born in Burlington, Kan., on April 17, 2001.
He was a star at Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kan., averaging 27.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists in his senior season and leading his squad to its third straight state title. He was named Mr. Kansas Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year.
Braun was also a member of the star-studded AAU team Mokan Elite, featuring a host of NBA players including Trae Young, Michael Porter Jr., Alec Burks, Shake Milton, and Willie Cauley-Stein.
Young was hyped watching his former teammate cook in Game 3.
Christian Braun college stats
After receiving multiple Division I offers, he committed to Kansas, where he played for three seasons. In his first year with the Jayhawks, he was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team and followed that up with a strong sophomore season.
As a junior, Braun was the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 14.1 points per game on 49.5 percent shooting from the field. He earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors as the Jayhawks advanced to the championship game.
Against North Carolina in the final game of the NCAA Tournament, Braun recorded 12 points and 12 rebounds, helping the Jayhawks capture their first NCAA title since 2007-08.
Across three years at Kansas, Braun averaged 10.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals on 44.9 percent shooting from the field and 37.8 percent from the 3-point line.
Christian Braun NBA draft
Following the Jayhawks’ title run, Braun declared for the 2022 NBA Draft.
He was selected by the Nuggets with the No. 21 overall pick, ahead of some notable names, including Walker Kessler (22)and Marjon Beauchamp (24).
How do you pronounce Christian Braun’s name?
When listening to the broadcast of the NBA Finals, you might have thought your ears were deceiving you as the commentators referred to the Nuggets number 0 as Christian Brown.
Even ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy was confused, exclaiming to Mark Jackson on the broadcast “You say Brown, I say Bron,” during Game 3.
According to Basketball Reference, that’s exactly how you say it.
Braun is a German name and is pronounced in English as Brown.
Christian Braun 2022-23 stats Regular season
NBA Playoffs