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Report: Kansas forward Christian Braun to stay in the 2022 NBA Draft

by:Austin Brezina•05/24/22•

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Photo by Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

According to a report on Tuesday, Kansas forward Christian Braun will remain in the 2022 NBA Draft, leaving college to play professionally. Braun has been seen as a late first-round draft pick possibly in this year’s draft according to mock drafts, after impressing with his athleticism at the NBA Combine.

Christian Braun to stay in the NBA draft

Braun’s decision was revealed via a social media post welcoming him to BDA Sports management. As Braun has signed with an agent, he is no longer eligible to return to NCAA play. He joins BDA Sports alongside Jabari Walker and Jalen Williams, according to the management company’s post.

Braun was a huge part of the Jayhawks’ National Championship run this season. In the championship game against North Carolina, Braun recorded 12 points and 12 rebounds. Over the entire season for Kansas, Braun averaged 14.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from three-point range. He recorded a career-high 31 points against St. John’s last season, earning Big 12 Player of the Week honors for his effort.

The 6’7″ junior impressed throughout the season with his confidence and athleticism, but he drew more attention after posting a 40-inch max vertical at the NBA Combine — the third-highest of this year’s class. His career shooting numbers combined with his versatility have made him an attractive draft prospect for the back end of the first round.

During the scrimmage games held at the combine, Braun struggled with his shooting but filled up the stat sheet in other ways. Braun scored 23 points over two games on 2-for-9 and 7-for-17 shooting, while picking up 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals.

Initial mock drafts by ESPN and CBS Sports have Braun coming off the board late in the first round — with ESPN predicting the Golden State Warriors select him with the 28th pick and CBS Sports predicting he goes to the San Antonio Spurs with the 25th overall pick.