Braun’s Dad Doubted NBA Draft Stock: ‘7 Points Won’t Cut It!’

Christian Braun’s Father’s Skepticism Fueled NBA Dream

The roar of the NCAA Championship crowd was still echoing, but for Christian Braun, the next challenge loomed large: convincing his biggest critic – his dad – that he was NBA draft material. Despite a stellar run culminating in a national title, Braun found himself on the draft “fringe,” a position that had his father voicing serious doubts, famously declaring, “First-round draft picks don’t score seven points in the NCAA tournament!”

Braun, now on the cusp of NBA stardom, recalled the moment during a recent discussion, highlighting the intense pressure and self-belief required to navigate the path from college standout to professional prospect. “In my mind like I was ready. I was ready to go. I thought I did enough, you know, up until that point,” Braun shared, reflecting on his mindset after a particular game against Providence where his scoring output was limited.

A Father’s Tough Love

His father, described as “the biggest KU guy you’ll ever see,” didn’t mince words. “He was like, ‘Hey, you know, first-round draft picks don’t score seven points in NCAA tournament,'” Braun recounted. While the Jayhawks secured the victory, the sting of his father’s assessment lingered, even as Braun himself felt confident in his overall contribution and readiness for the next level.

The situation was precarious. Braun wasn’t a guaranteed lottery pick. He hovered on the edge, a position that often leads to two-way contracts rather than the security of a standard NBA deal. “I was kind of on that on that fringe. you know, you don’t want to be caught at that time like late 30s and now you’re kind of on a two-way,” he explained, referencing the draft range where players’ futures become uncertain.

The Championship Encore

The allure of returning for another year at Kansas, potentially solidifying his draft stock and enjoying another season as a team leader, was a real consideration. Braun acknowledged the possibility: “I had another year. I could have came back and kind of had that team, you know, more to myself.” However, the taste of championship glory proved too potent to ignore.

Leaving on a high note, as a national champion, presented a compelling argument for turning pro. “But I thought I did enough and had a good run. You leave on a national championship. It’s hard to go, you know, better than that,” Braun stated, underscoring the emotional pull of ending his collegiate career with the ultimate prize.

Looking Ahead: The NBA Journey Begins

Braun’s journey from facing his father’s tough critique to carving out a role in the NBA is a testament to his resilience and belief in his abilities. While the exact draft position remains a point of conversation, his confidence that he had “done enough” and had “a good run” propelled him forward. Now, as he steps onto the professional hardwood, the lessons learned from that “fringe” status and his father’s pointed advice are likely serving as powerful motivators. The question isn’t whether he can score seven points, but how much more he can achieve as he continues his promising NBA career.

Source: “First round draft picks don’t score 7 points in the NCAA tournament!” — Christian Braun's dad #nba (YouTube)