It’s done: Christian Braun has become the fifth player in history to achieve a back-to-back in the NCAA and then the NBA. After Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Billy Thompson and Henry Bibby, the Nuggets rookie won the title in the Great League, with the Nuggets, after winning the university title last year with Kansas.
Obviously, the circumstances have a lot to do with it because Christian Braun arrived in the NBA on the right team but, wherever he goes, he wins…
In 2017, 2018 then 2019, he was thus Kansas State champion with his high school, in 2020, he joined the University of Kansas but the “March Madness” was canceled (Covid-19) while the players of Bill Self are favorites. In 2021, they are eliminated in the second round but in 2022, they win the supreme title by beating North Carolina in the final.
Real minutes in Finals
University champion, Christian Braun thus joined the NBA in stride, landing at the Nuggets being chosen in 21st place. And the rookie quickly managed to find a place in Mike Malone’s rotation.
In the final, he played more than 16 minutes per game, only Tyler Herro, Manu Ginobili, Boobie Gibson, Kendrick Nunn and Courtney Lee having played more than him in the Finals over the last twenty seasons…
He was particularly valuable with his 15 points in Game 3 to break the Miami zone.
“Christian has proven himself throughout the year and was in rotation at the end of the season. He’s been in the rotation all 18 of those playoff games, and if you look, there aren’t a lot of rookies playing real minutes in the NBA at this time of year, and that’s a testament to the Christian’s confidence” had notably explained Mike Malone. “It shows that he is a winner. He’s won at every level: in high school, in college, and now he’s making the NBA Finals as a rookie. He stayed ready all year, mentally, physically, emotionally. This kid is very stable. He is a very calm, cold and composed young man. »
| Christian Brown | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 76 | 16 | 49.5 | 35.4 | 62.5 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 4.7 |
| Total | 76 | 16 | 49.5 | 35.4 | 62.5 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 4.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
