The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed rookie center Branden Carlson to a one-year, standard NBA contract, Ross Aroyo and Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
Oklahoma City Thunder signed Branden Carlson amid ongoing injuries to Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein
Carlson, a 7-foot, 220-pound center, is the all-time shot blocking leader for the University of Utah. The South Jordan native went undrafted in July and inked a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors.
Carlson, 25, was suiting up for the Raptors 905, Toronto’s G League affiliate, to begin the year. However, the Raptors waived him last month as Jamison Battle claimed the team’s final two-way spot.
The Thunder decided to add Carlson after waiving Malevy Leons on Friday evening. OKC is using its 15th roster spot to improve roster depth at center while Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein recover from injuries.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to a one-year, standard NBA deal with Branden Carlson, Ross Aroyo and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports told @hoopshype. OKC needs frontcourt depth. Carlson, a 7-foot center, is the all-time shot blocking leader for the University of Utah. pic.twitter.com/Go3kxa53GA
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) November 16, 2024
Toronto will not receive any compensation for Carlson’s departure. Although, if he’s waived by the Thunder later this year, his G League rights will return to the Raptors 905.
In Carlson’s first three games (all starts) with the Raptors 905, he averaged 14.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.7 blocks while shooting 51.5% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range.
Carlson led the Pac-12 in blocks in the 2022-23 season
As for his college career, in 146 games (140 starts) with Utah across five seasons (2019-24), he averaged 12.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 26.1 minutes per contest while shooting 51.3% from the floor.
In his final year of collegiate eligibility, he averaged career highs of 17 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 29.6 minutes while shooting 50.1% from the field and 71.4% at the free throw line.
Additionally, Carlson logged career highs of 34 points and seven assists in a 95-90 victory over Washington on Dec. 31, 2023. He hit multiple shots from deep and dominated in the post to help Utah erase a double-digit deficit.
“Obviously, Brandon really led us. … When you get two career highs in points and assists, you’re doing something right, and we rode him,” said Utah head coach Craig Smith.
“I mean, we played through him in every way in that second half. We didn’t take him off the floor. We challenged Branden at halftime in a big time way, and boy did he respond. He owned it, and our guys played through him. And that’s what the great ones do.”
Carlson finished fourth in points (613) in the Pac-12 his final season. He also ranked sixth in total rebounds (236), third in blocks (54), second in field goals (232), and sixth in player efficiency rating (22.9).
The 7-footer led the conference with 63 blocks in the 2022-23 season as well. He ended his college career with two first-team All-Pac-12 selections and one second-team All-Pac-12 nod.
