Branden Carlson: Undrafted to Undeniable

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports

Branden Carlson, the undrafted two-way player out of Utah, might not be a household name—especially for those outside of Oklahoma City. In fact, most NBA fans probably haven’t heard his name at all.

But for Thunder fans, Carlson is more than just another undrafted guy fighting for a roster spot. He’s a symbol of the culture OKC has built—where overlooked players are given the chance to grow, compete, and prove they belong. With his unique blend of size, shooting, and sneaky athleticism, Carlson has quietly become a name worth knowing in Thunder circles. And if you’ve been paying attention, you know he might just be next in a long line of hidden gems to rise through the ranks in OKC.

Hometown Roots and College Growth

Growing up in South Jordan, Utah, Carlson wasn’t the most well-known guy in the country, but his talent spoke for itself. Ranked as a three-star recruit, the 153rd player in the country, and the No. 2 player in Utah (247Sports), he had interest from schools like Utah, UCLA, Stanford, and BYU. He decided to commit to his hometown team, the University of Utah.

He was a five-year starter for the Utes, with his minutes increasing every year. He was always a good defender, and of course he improved throughout his college years, but what sticks out is his development on the offensive end.

His freshman season, he averaged 7 points on 5.5 shots a game and shot 23% from three on only 0.4 attempts per game. However, by the end of his fifth year, he was averaging 17 points per game on 13 shots, and the biggest improvement—shooting 37.9% from three on nearly five attempts per game.

That improvement is a testament to his work ethic. He will never stop working to improve his game, which is exactly why the Thunder brought him in.

The Thunder Find Their Guy (Again)

Carlson went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, signing as a UDFA with the Toronto Raptors. However, he was eventually waived. Then, on November 16th, he signed a contract with the OKC Thunder. After a couple of 10-day contracts, the team locked him in with a two-way deal on February 6th.

Carlson appeared in 32 games for the Thunder, mostly in fourth-quarter blowouts, but in those appearances, he showed real potential. He averaged 3.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game while shooting 44% from the field and 33% from three.

Those might not seem like great numbers, but with just seven minutes a night, his per-36 projections put him at 18 points and 8 rebounds. If he could do that, he’d certainly earn real NBA minutes.

Now, Carlson in the G League was an absolute beast. He averaged 18.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, with good efficiency. He’s shown so many flashes that eventually, he will be a very good NBA player—whether that’s with OKC or elsewhere.

Throughout the season, the love for him from Thunder fans just grew and grew. Seeing his minutes at the end of games was one of the best parts—it signified a win, and a chance to see one of their favorite players.

But Carlson’s impact wasn’t just on the court; it was off the court as well. Being one of the first guys up to give high fives, and offering constant encouragement when he wasn’t in the game, might not seem like a lot—but it makes a difference (just look at J-Will).

Two-way players can’t play in the playoffs, but that didn’t stop him from contributing in every other way. He earned himself a well-deserved championship ring, and on July 7th, 2025, Oklahoma City officially declared it Branden Carlson Day.

Eyes on the Summer League… and the Future

Now, we’re in the Las Vegas Summer League, where Carlson is one of the Thunder’s most crucial players as they try to make a run at the Summer League championship. He’s showcasing his skills on a big stage, and it wouldn’t be surprising if another team offers him a real roster spot before too long.

If the Thunder can free up a spot, it’ll be a battle between Carlson and OKC rookie second-round pick Brooks Barnhizer—who’s also quickly becoming a fan favorite.

For now, Branden is focused on getting the job done in the SL. So let’s enjoy some high-level Branden Carlson hoops over the next few days.

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