Former Kansas Jayhawk Christian Braun throws down dunk of the year over 4-time DPOY

Many former Kansas basketball players are flourishing in the NBA right now. As the season nears the two-week mark, fans have finally got back into the swing of things. Most Jayhawk supporters occasionally track how former players perform on their respective teams.

You would have missed out if you did not watch the thriller between the Nuggets and Timberwolves last night. You also missed one of the best dunks in recent history. Former Jayhawk Christian Braun went straight at 4-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and flushed a nasty poster dunk during a crucial moment of the game:

Christian Braun's posterizer over Rudy Gobert might have been dunk of the year

Braun is no stranger to making the highlight reel with his dunks. He had a handful of emphatic jams last year that sent shockwaves through the NBA universe. However, this dunk over Gobert might have been the most impressive yet given his status as a defender. To make it even better, Braun got in his face afterward and Gobert shoved him out the way in frustration, leading to a double technical foul.

Gobert won Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth time in his career in 2023-24. The 7-footer might be the best interior defender in recent NBA history. While Braun's dunk was exhilarating on its own, doing so against someone like Gobert makes it so much more special.

His contributions on the court extend far beyond his athleticism. Entering year three of his NBA career, the Kansas product is averaging 14 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.4 blocks across five games, all career highs. Unfortunately, Braun wound up costing the Nuggets a win with two missed shot attempts in the closing minutes, but his breakout as a player has been fun to watch.

Braun ranks among the most beloved Jayhawks in recent history. He spent three years in Lawrence, winning a national championship at KU in 2022 and subsequently being drafted by Denver with the No. 21 overall pick later that year.