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Branden Carlson

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Branden Carlson
Carlson with Utah in 2024
No. 10 – Portland Trail Blazers
PositionCenter
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1999-06-14) June 14, 1999 (age 27)
South Jordan, Utah, U.S.
Listed height7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High schoolBingham (South Jordan, Utah)
CollegeUtah (2019–2024)
NBA draft2024: undrafted
Playing career2024–present
Career history
2024Raptors 905
2024–2026Oklahoma City Thunder
2024–2026→Oklahoma City Blue
2026–presentPortland Trail Blazers
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Branden Carlson (born June 14, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Utah Utes.

Early life and high school career

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Carlson grew up in South Jordan, Utah and attended Bingham High School.[1] Carlson was a consensus four star recruit. He committed to play college basketball at Utah over offers from UCLA, Stanford, BYU, UNLV, Utah State, UC Davis, Santa Clara and Weber State.[2]

College recruiting
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Branden Carlson
PF / C		 South Jordan, UT Bingham 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Oct 23, 2016 
Recruit ratings: Rivals: 4/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   (80)
Overall recruit ranking:    Rivals: 66    247Sports: 153    ESPN: N/A
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2017 Utah Basketball Commitment List". Rivals. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  • "2017 Utah Utes Recruiting Class". ESPN. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved June 28, 2024.

College career

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After serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), Carlson enrolled at Utah before the start of the 2019–20 season.[3] Carlson played in 30 games with 29 starts during his freshman season and averaged 7.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.[4] He averaged 9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks as a sophomore.[5] Carlson averaged 13.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks and was named second-team All-Pac-12 Conference as a junior.[6]

He averaged 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game as a senior and was named first-team All-Pac-12.[7] Carlson considered entering the 2023 NBA draft, but ultimately decided to utilize the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes who played in the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and return to Utah for a fifth season.[8] In his final year, he averaged 17.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 blocks per game,[9] and made the First-team All-Pac-12 for the second time. Carlson became the all-time blocks leader for Utah during a home loss to Arizona State,[10] eventually finishing the season with 241 blocks. In that year's NIT, Carlson averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks over four tournament games, with Utah eventually falling in the semifinals to Indiana State.[11]

Professional career

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Raptors 905 (2024)

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After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft, Carlson signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors on July 4, 2024, joining former Ute Jakob Pöltl.[9][12] However, he was waived on October 19, 2024.[13] On October 28, he joined Raptors 905.[14] Carlson played four preseason games with the Raptors, averaging 5.3 minutes per game. He averaged 1.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.[15]

Oklahoma City Thunder / Blue (2024–2026)

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On November 16, 2024, after the injuries of Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams, Carlson signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.[16][17] Throughout his rookie season, he was assigned several times to the Oklahoma City Blue.[18] On January 7, 2025, he was waived by the Thunder.[19] Three days later, he signed a 10-day contract with the Thunder.[20] Against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 16, Carlson recorded 11 points and 4 rebounds, making 3 three-pointers off the bench in a blowout win.[21] On January 22, he signed another 10-day contract with the Thunder.[22] On February 6, he signed a two-way contract with the Thunder and the Blue.[23] In Oklahoma City's final regular-season game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Carlson recorded a season-high 26 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks in a double-digit win.[24] Carlson finished his rookie season an NBA champion when the Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in seven games in the 2025 NBA Finals.

On July 8, 2025, Carlson re-signed with Oklahoma City on a two-way contract.[25] On April 12, 2026, Carlson tied a career–high in points with 26, also chipping in 10 rebounds, five blocks, two steals and one assist as part of a 135–103 loss to the Phoenix Suns.[26] Carlson made 32 appearances for Oklahoma City during the 2025–26 NBA season, posting averages of 3.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.7 assists.[27]

Portland Trail Blazers (2026–present)

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On July 1, 2026, Carlson signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.[28]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 †  Won an NBA championship

NBA

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2024–25† Oklahoma City 3207.7.443.333.7781.7.4.2.73.8
2025–26 Oklahoma City 42411.6.527.360.5773.0.7.2.65.8
Career 7449.9.498.349.6592.4.6.2.64.9

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019–20 Utah 302920.9.549.231.6223.9.8.31.47.0
2020–21 Utah 252123.4.551.500.6094.6.7.21.79.4
2021–22 Utah 242326.0.510.309.8186.01.1.31.613.6
2022–23 Utah 313129.1.495.331.7747.51.5.32.016.3
2023–24 Utah 363629.6.501.379.7146.61.6.41.517.0
Career 14614026.1.513.354.7285.81.2.31.712.9

Personal life

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Carlson is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a two-year mission for the church in Manchester, England.[29]

Carlson married Maddy Woolf in the summer of 2020.[30][31] His father, Bryan Carlson, played basketball at Chico State,[32] and his brother, Devin Carlson, plays forward for Salt Lake Community College's basketball team.[33]

References

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  1. ↑ Urban, Andrea (February 18, 2020). "Former Bingham star settling into big man role for the Utes". Fox13now.com. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  2. ↑ Goon, Kyle (October 24, 2016). "Utah basketball: Bingham big man Branden Carlson picks Runnin' Utes". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  3. ↑ Kragthorpe, Kurt (October 25, 2019). "Utah center Branden Carlson got home only in late May, but he's the leader of a 'three-headed' position". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  4. ↑ Drew, Jay (February 16, 2022). "Utah basketball: Branden Carlson didn't let COVID-19 keep him down". Deseret News. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  5. ↑ Drew, Jay (March 7, 2023). "Branden Carlson reflects on his Runnin' Utes career". Deseret News. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  6. ↑ Allen, Trevor (June 16, 2022). "Instant Replay: Utah Basketball Center Branden Carlson Throws Down Impressive Dunk". KSLSports.com. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  7. ↑ Vejar, Alex (May 31, 2023). "Utah Runnin' Utes basketball standout Branden Carlson will return to school". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Branden Carlson is returning for the 2023–24 season". Deseret News. May 31, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Judd, Brandon (June 28, 2024). "Branden Carlson joins Toronto Raptors on two-way contract". Deseret News. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  10. ↑ Bodkin, Michelle (February 10, 2024). "Branden Carlson Makes More History As A Runnin' Ute". KSL Sports. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  11. ↑ Judd, Brandon (April 4, 2024). "What Utah said about its run to the NIT semifinals". Deseret News. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  12. ↑ "RAPTORS SIGN CARLSON TO TWO-WAY CONTRACT". NBA.com. July 4, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  13. ↑ "RAPTORS WAIVE THREE, CONVERT BATTLE TO TWO-WAY CONTRACT". NBA.com. October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  14. ↑ "RAPTORS 905 FINALIZES TRAINING CAMP ROSTER". NBA.com. October 28, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Branden Carlson 2024-25 Preseason Game Log". ESPN. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  16. ↑ "Thunder Signs Branden Carlson". NBA.com. November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  17. ↑ Charania, Shams (November 16, 2024). "Thunder signing Branden Carlson to boost hobbled frontcourt". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  18. ↑ "2024-2025 Oklahoma City Blue Transaction History". RealGM.com. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  19. ↑ Adams, Luke (January 7, 2025). "Thunder Cut Branden Carlson". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Thunder Signs Branden Carlson to 10-day Contract". NBA.com. January 10, 2025. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  21. ↑ Almanza, Clemente (2025-01-17). "How Branden Carlson stole the spotlight in Thunder's 134-114 win over Cavaliers". okcthunderwire.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  22. ↑ "Thunder Signs Branden Carlson to Second 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. January 22, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  23. ↑ Styles, Ryan (February 7, 2025). "OKC Thunder Ink Branden Carlson to Two-Way Pact". Sports Illustrated. SI.com. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  24. ↑ Baca, Ethan (2025-04-13). "OKC Thunder Ensnares New Orleans Pelicans in Season Finale". SI.com. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  25. ↑ Gemes, Chase (2025-07-09). "Branden Carlson Returning to Thunder on Two-Way Contract". SI.com. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  26. ↑ "Thunder's Branden Carlson: Double-double in defeat". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Branden Carlson 2025-26 Stats per Game". espn.com. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Portland Trail Blazers Sign Branden Carlson". NBA.com. 2026-07-01. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  29. ↑ "Utah basketball center Branden Carlson is shining, aided by summer with AAU team". The Salt Lake Tribune. February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  30. ↑ Drew, Jay (2025-03-07). "Branden Carlson reflects on his Runnin' Utes career — which might not be close to over". Deseret News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2025-01-17.
  31. ↑ Drew, Jay (2023-06-07). "Branden Carlson on why he came back and his expectations for rebuilt Runnin' Utes". Deseret News. Retrieved 2025-01-17.
  32. ↑ "Branden Carlson Nationality". Sportskeeda. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  33. ↑ "Roster". Salt Lake Community College. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
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