Branden Carlson Named Top-10 Finalist for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award

Utah's center is in contention for the chance to be named the best center in D-1 basketball.

Utah's very own Branden Carlson has been named a top-10 finalist for The Basketball Hall of Fame's Kareem Abdul-Jabbar award, which goes to the best D-1 center.

📰 | @ballerbranden35 named Top-10 Finalist for @hoophallu Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. #KareemAward

🔗 https://t.co/ru5KRbRHp8#GoUtes | #HoopHallU pic.twitter.com/dfvSXE1mao

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) February 2, 2024

Carlson joins the prestigious list with the likes of Purdue's Zach Edey, Kansas's Hunter Dickinson, and UConn's Donovan Clingan. 

The 7'0" 220-pound senior out of South Jordan, Utah is averaging 16.7 points per game on a 47.1% clip from the field while also averaging 6.5 boards per game, 1.5 blocks per game, and 2 assists per game. He is also shooting at a 34.8% clip from beyond the arc and 73.1% from the line which is impressive for a player of his size. 

Carlson has been the driving force behind the team's 14-7 record despite the countless injuries the squad has sustained this year and with a crucial stretch of conference play facing the Utes, the center will have to play like a top-10 big for the group to stay in contention. The Runnin' Utes and Carlson are back home at the Huntsman for some Pac-12 action against Colorado on February, 3rd.