Jarrell Brantley

Jarrell Brantley's Biography

Jarrell Isaiah Brantley’s journey in basketball is the stuff of dreams, embodying courage, perseverance, and extraordinary talent. Born on June 7, 1996, in Columbia, South Carolina, Brantley’s destiny to dominate on the hard court began to manifest itself from his early school days. Pretty soon, schools and scouts caught wind of the prodigious talent Brantley possessed.

After graduating high school, Brantley went on to play college basketball for the College of Charleston Cougars. It was during these formative collegiate years that Brantley truly flourished. As a junior, Brantley demonstrated prodigious talent, averaging 17.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, earning him a place on the Second Team All-Colonial Athletic Association. Not one to rest on his laurels, he continued to push himself further, averaging 19 points and 8.4 rebounds per game during his senior year. He also impressed with his three-pointer skills, averaging 1.2 three-pointers a game on a 32.8 percent three-point field goal percentage.

After amassing an impressive 1,914 points over his college career, the third-highest in the institution’s history, Brantley’s talents were recognizably undeniable. He drew the attention of top-tier NBA teams who invited him for workouts, including the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Phoenix Suns.

In the 2019 NBA draft, Brantley was picked by the Indiana Pacers in the second round with the 50th overall pick. But destiny had another plan for him, and he was traded shortly after to the Utah Jazz. He moved with the currents of his career, signing on a two-way contract with the Jazz on July 16, 2019.

On October 25, 2019, Brantley stepped onto the NBA court for the first time, playing against the formidable Los Angeles Lakers despite his team’s loss, his three rebounds, an assist, and a block proved that he was ready to contend in the big leagues.

Brantley continually proved himself, scoring 28 points, garnering eight rebounds, and five assists for the Salt Lake City Stars against the Maine Red Claws. His prowess didn’t stop at that. On February 11, he mesmerized fans once again, almost accomplishing a triple-double with 26 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists in an exciting overtime win over the Texas Legends.

In a pivotal game in April 2021, against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Brantley was instrumental in securing a 106-96 victory. He was also proving to be a stellar defender when he played against Luguentz Dort, a guard-forward for the Thunder.

However, Brantley’s time with the Jazz came to an end in September 2021 when he asked to be waived. He went on to join UNICS Kazan of the VTB United League. Unfortunately, the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine forced Brantley to leave the team and seek other opportunities. This decision resulted in a legal dispute as Kazan sued him for $250,000 and tried to halt him from signing with an NBA G League team.

Brantley then found a home with the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League in March 2022, where he played 10 games, averaging 10.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.4 steals. In April 2022, he signed with Leones de Ponce of BSN. Over that summer, Brantley participated in the 2022 NBA Summer League with the Los Angeles Clippers.

In July 2022, Brantley inked a deal to play with the New Zealand Breakers for the 2022-23 NBL season. He, alongside his brother Jamaal, made league history as they became the first pair of foreign-born brothers to play together in an NBL game. Brantley’s phenomenal performance led to him being named the Breakers’ Club MVP for the season.

Brantley briefly revisited his past in March 2023 when he signed a 10-day contract with the Utah Jazz, marking his second stint with the franchise. He appeared in four NBA games for the Jazz before signing with Nagasaki Velca of the B.League on August 1, 2023.

Regardless of the jersey he’s wearing, Brantley’s dedication to the sport remains unwavering. His career, which spans across different countries and numerous teams, is a testament to his versatility and adaptability. Whether it’s in the States, Russia, or Japan, Brantley’s love for the game knows no borders. It will be exciting to continue to follow the journey of this rising star in basketball.