The Nuggets' depth has been a key factor in their journey to the NBA Finals this season, with several role players stepping up at different points of the season.
In Game 2 of the Finals against the Heat, rookie guard Christian Braun got off to a strong start, coming up with some big plays on both ends of the floor.
THROW IT DOWN, CHRISTIAN BRAUN 🔨 pic.twitter.com/VxC1QnUS6s
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 5, 2023
Winning is in the shooting guard's DNA. He is looking to become just the fifth player in NBA history to win a championship in the year following an NCAA title run.
MORE: Why Jokic and Murray's two-man game could be the difference in Finals
Who is Christian Braun?
High school and college years
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.
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.
Following their victory, Braun declared for the 2022 NBA Draft. He was selected by the Nuggets with the No. 21 overall pick.
2022-23 season with Nuggets
Braun enjoyed a solid rookie season for the Nuggets, appearing in 76 regular season games, including six starts. In 15.5 minutes per game, he averaged 4.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.8 assists.
Braun has appeared in 16 playoff games so far this year, and he is on the verge of completing a historic NCAA-NBA championship double.
"It's different," Braun said. "In the NCAA Tournament, it's one game. There's a lot of pressure on that one game, and here there are a lot of ups and downs. We've had series where we win two, we think we're up 2-0, it's a big lead and then you lose two in a row.
"It's completely different, but the same pressure."
NCAA title and NBA championship wins in consecutive seasons
Braun is looking to add his name to a historic list of players who have won an NCAA title and an NBA championship in consecutive seasons. That list includes basketball legends like Bill Russell and Magic Johnson.
| Player | College | NBA |
| Billy Thompson | Louisville (1986) | Los Angeles Lakers (1987) |
| Magic Johnson | Michigan State (1979) | Los Angeles Lakers (1980) |
| Henry Bibby | UCLA (1972) | New York Knicks (1973) |
| Bill Russell | San Francisco (1956) | Boston Celtics (1957) |
Christian Braun 2022-23 stats
Regular season
- 4.7 points per game
- 2.4 rebounds per game
- 0.8 assists per game
- 15.5 minutes per game
- 49.5 percent shooting
- 35.4 percent 3-point shooting
NBA Playoffs
- 2.1 points per game
- 2.0 rebounds per game
- 0.4 assists per game
- 11.6 minutes per game
- 41.4 percent shooting
- 22.2 percent 3-point shooting
