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Kansas basketball: One NBA Jayhawk remains in the NBA Playoffs field

By Joshua Schulman

May 9, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns during game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns during game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Only one former Kansas basketball player advanced to the conference finals — Jayhawk legend and Denver Nuggets wing Christian Braun.

The NBA season came to a screeching halt for former Kansas Jayhawks Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, and Quentin Grimes in the conference semifinals. Embiid’s MVP season disappointingly ended after the Philadelphia 76ers blew a 3-2 lead to the Boston Celtics, and Wiggins and Grimes — who play for the Warriors and Knicks — had their respective seasons end via a 4-2 series loss.

A lone bright spot for ex-KU basketball players during these Playoffs has been Christian Braun. The No. 1-seeded Nuggets took down the Phoenix Suns in six games and will face off against the LeBron James-led LA Lakers to determine who makes the NBA Finals. Denver has never made the NBA Finals, so he could be part of a historic team.

In the first round of the playoffs vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves, Braun averaged 3.4 points and 1.8 rebounds on 63.6 percent shooting. In Denver’s most recent series vs. the Suns, Braun averaged 2.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game. He recorded four steals in the Nuggets’ Game 1 victory.

RELATED: Four NBA Jayhawks advance to conference semifinals

Although his statistics are not eye-popping, the Kansas native has conformed to his role as Denver’s spark plug on the second unit. Head coach Mike Malone consistently praises Braun for his defensive intensity and fiery demeanor on the floor.

Braun was selected 21st overall by the Nuggets in the 2022 NBA Draft. Jayhawk fans always knew what he was capable of, but no one thought he would be locking down Kevin Durant in the postseason.

Unless any Kansas fans are pre-affiliated with one of the four remaining teams in the NBA Playoffs, they should be rooting for the CB and the Nuggets to win it all. Braun has the chance to win back-to-back championships — one in the NCAA and one in the NBA.

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