Nuggets rookie Christian Braun has had a pretty good year.
After winning a national title in April 2022 with Kansas in his final year of college, Braun is now a champion again with the Nuggets. That puts him in exclusive company: He’s one of five players all-time to win an NCAA and NBA championship in consecutive years, joining Bill Russell, Henry Bibby, Magic Johnson and Billy Thompson.
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Amazingly, Braun’s incredible championship run doesn’t stop with just these back-to-back titles. He also won three consecutive state championships in high school at Blue Valley Northwest in Overland Park, Kans. before arriving at Kansas.
Christian Braun is now just the 5th basketball player ever to win NCAA & NBA titles in back-to-back years. 🏆x🏆
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) June 13, 2023
- Bill Russell (San Francisco 1956, Celtics '57)
- Henry Bibby (UCLA 1972, Knicks '73)
- Magic Johnson (Michigan St. 1979, Lakers '80)
- Billy Thompson (Louisville… pic.twitter.com/FSkJN0WmPu
Braun’s college coach with the Jayhawks, Bill Self, was in attendance for Monday’s Game 5 and got to celebrate with his former star after the game.
Good morning and Rock Chalk 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ki2I2UJmYT
— Kansas Jayhawks (@KUAthletics) June 13, 2023
The Nuggets rookie had a key role in the series, scoring 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting in the critical Game 3 win that swung the series back in Denver’s favor and played 24 minutes in the decisive Game 5 victory. Braun later weighed in on Twitter early Tuesday morning with a humorous message.
PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT !
— Christian Braun (@Ballin25Braun) June 13, 2023
It’s not a bad time to be Christian Braun, that’s for sure.
