Branden Carlson

Branden Carlson's Biography

Branden Carlson, born June 14, 1999, is an accomplished professional American basketball player. He is currently signed with Raptors 905, a team in the NBA G League. With his distinguished skills and experience, Carlson has carved a niche for himself as an esteemed player in the basketball world. This 2500-word bio will explore the trajectory of this young talent’s career and its highlights.

Raised in South Jordan, Utah, Carlson discovered his passion for basketball at a young age. He honed his skills while studying at Bingham High School, and his talent didn’t go unnoticed. Despite receiving offers from the likes of UCLA, Stanford, BYU, UNLV, Utah State, UC Davis, Santa Clara, and Weber State, he chose to pursue his college career with the Utah Utes, a team that competes in the Pac-12 Conference.

After earning his high school diploma, Carlson spent two years on a Latter-Day Saint mission in Manchester, England. This service period strengthened his spirit, instilled discipline, and nurtured personal growth. On completing his mission, he was all set to begin a new chapter in his life. He enrolled at the University of Utah to kick off the 2019–2020 season as part of their esteemed basketball program.

Carlson’s freshman year was marked with consistent performances. He was featured in 30 games, starting in 29 of them, with impressive averages — 7.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. In his sophomore year, Carlson raised his game, contributing to his team with averages of 9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. His growth and performance were commendable, showing his potential as a promising athlete.

His tenacity paid off during his junior year when he averaged 13.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. Carlson’s hard work was recognized when he was named to the second-team All-Pac-12 Conference. During his senior year, he excelled further, averaging 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. His remarkable performance led to his selection for the first-team All-Pac-12, a testament to his skills and dedication.

The year 2023 came with significant decisions for the gifted player. Although Carlson contemplated entering the 2023 NBA draft, he chose otherwise. He decided to maximize the added year of eligibility granted to college athletes in the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Carlson returned to Utah for a fifth season.

This decision bore fruit as Carlson continued his excellent performance during his final year at Utah. He averaged 17.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. He was named to the First-team All-Pac-12 for a second time, marking a successful conclusion of his college career. Carlson also set a record at the University of Utah, becoming the all-time blocks leader during a home loss against Arizona State. He finished the season with a staggering 241 blocks.

Despite his notable feats, Carlson was not drafted in the 2024 NBA draft. Undeterred, he remained focused on his professional basketball career. On July 4, 2024, he signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors, joining former Ute Jakob Pöltl. This arrangement didn’t last, however, as he was waived on October 19, 2024. A brief set-back didn’t end his NBA journey, and on October 28, he joined Raptors 905, ready to continue his basketball adventure and leave his mark in the professional sport.