Branden Carlson Bio
Branden Carlson (born June 14, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he plays the center position. He is signed to a two-way contract that also links him to the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G League. Carlson played college basketball for the Utah Utes and won an NBA championship as a rookie in 2025. Listed at 7 feet 0 inches and 235 pounds, he has built his career on shot-blocking, three-point shooting, and steady frontcourt play.
Early Life and Background
Carlson grew up in South Jordan, Utah, in a household with a strong athletic background. His father, Bryan Carlson, played basketball at Chico State, which helped shape his early appreciation for the game. He attended Bingham High School in South Jordan, where he developed into a consensus four-star recruit and one of the most sought-after big men in the region.
Coming out of high school, Carlson drew college offers from UCLA, Stanford, BYU, UNLV, Utah State, UC Davis, Santa Clara, and Weber State. He chose to play college basketball at Utah, staying close to home and committing to the in-state program. Before enrolling, Carlson served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Manchester, England, an experience that delayed his college start but added maturity to his game.
Path to Basketball
After returning from his mission, Carlson enrolled at Utah ahead of the 2019–2020 season and quickly became a building block for the Utes. As a freshman he appeared in 30 games with 29 starts, averaging 7.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. The following year he lifted those averages to 9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks, showing steady growth on both ends of the floor.
His junior season marked a clear step forward, as he posted 13.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game and was named second-team All-Pac-12 Conference. After considering the 2023 NBA draft, Carlson used the extra year of eligibility granted because of the COVID-19 pandemic and returned to Utah for a fifth season. That decision allowed him to finish his career as one of the most accomplished shot-blockers in program history.
Branden Carlson Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Carlson’s first three seasons at Utah established him as a dependable rim protector and developing offensive option. He started regularly as a freshman and sophomore, anchoring the Utes’ interior defense while expanding his perimeter game. By the end of his junior year, his second-team All-Pac-12 selection signaled that he had arrived as one of the conference’s top centers.
Pac-12 Breakthrough (2022–2024)
In his senior season, Carlson averaged 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game and earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors. He returned for a fifth year and produced his best statistical season, averaging 17.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game, while securing another first-team All-Pac-12 nod. During that final campaign he became Utah’s all-time blocks leader in a home loss to Arizona State and finished the year with 241 career blocks. In the NIT, he averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks over four games as Utah reached the semifinals before falling to Indiana State.
Oklahoma City Thunder Era (2024–Present)
After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft, Carlson signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors on July 4, 2024, but was waived on October 19. He joined Raptors 905 on October 28 and appeared in four preseason games with the Raptors, averaging 5.3 minutes, 1.8 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. On November 16, 2024, he signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder following injuries to Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, and Jaylin Williams.
Carlson’s rookie season featured several moves between the Thunder and the Oklahoma City Blue. After being waived on January 7, 2025, he signed a 10-day contract three days later and later added two more short-term deals before converting to a two-way contract on February 6. Against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 16, he scored 11 points with 4 rebounds and 3 three-pointers off the bench in a blowout win. In Oklahoma City’s final regular-season game against the New Orleans Pelicans, he set a season high with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a double-digit win. Carlson finished his rookie year as 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. On April 12, 2026, he tied his career high with 26 points while adding 10 rebounds, five blocks, two steals, and one assist in a 135–103 loss to the Phoenix Suns, showing his continued growth as a two-way contributor.
Driving Style and Strengths
Carlson is best known as a stretch center who can protect the rim and space the floor. His three-point shooting, length, and shot-blocking instincts make him a fit for modern NBA schemes that demand versatile big men. He has shown the ability to deliver efficient scoring nights, as seen in his 26-point performances, while also serving as a reliable rebounder and defender.
Notable Events and Milestones
Carlson’s most significant milestones include becoming Utah’s all-time blocks leader and winning an NBA championship as a rookie with the Thunder. He has tied a career high of 26 points and has logged multiple double-doubles, while also contributing key three-point shooting off the bench during the 2024–25 season.
Branden Carlson Career Wins
Carlson’s career wins include an NBA championship with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025, two first-team All-Pac-12 selections in 2023 and 2024, and a second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2022.
College Highlights
Carlson was a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 pick and a one-time second-team All-Pac-12 selection across his five seasons at Utah. He set the program’s all-time blocks record with 241 blocks and led the Utes on a run to the NIT semifinals in his final season.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his conference awards, Carlson produced multiple 20-point performances and notched the season high for blocks in several outings during his rookie NBA season.
Branden Carlson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Basketball runs in Carlson’s family. His father, Bryan Carlson, played college basketball at Chico State, while his brother, Devin Carlson, plays forward for Salt Lake Community College’s basketball team.
Personal Life
Carlson is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a two-year mission for the church in Manchester, England. He married Maddy Woolf in the summer of 2020.
2025 Season Performance
Carlson’s 2024–25 rookie season was defined by perseverance and a championship finish. He bounced between the Thunder and the Oklahoma City Blue, signed multiple 10-day contracts, and converted to a two-way deal in February. His scoring outburst against the New Orleans Pelicans in the regular-season finale highlighted his offensive ceiling.
The campaign reached its peak when the Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in seven games in the 2025 NBA Finals, giving Carlson an NBA title in his first professional season. His shooting, rim protection, and willingness to accept any role helped him earn the trust of the Oklahoma City coaching staff.
Heading into the 2025–26 season, Carlson re-signed with the Thunder on a two-way contract on July 8, 2025, positioning him to continue developing as a rotation big man. His continued shot-blocking and three-point shooting suggest an expanded role as the defending champions chase another title.
