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The Denver Nuggets can now sit at the championsโ table after defeating the Miami Heat in just five games in the NBA Finals.
Nikola Jokic capped off his incredible season with a Finals MVP award, but he wasnโt the only member of the Nuggets that made history.
Notably, rookie Christian Braun also entered the books by becoming just the fifth player to win the NCAA championship and NBA championship in consecutive seasons.
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐.@Ballin25Braun, the fifth player ever to win an NCAA and NBA Title in consecutive seasons #KUball x @nba pic.twitter.com/gwm2OGYVE3
โ Kansas Menโs Basketball (@KUHoops) June 13, 2023
Braun, a standout with the Kansas Jayhawks, played an instrumental role in their epic comeback to clinch the 2022 NCAA title, the fourth in program history.
He was taken No. 21 overall by the Nuggets and played his way up Mike Maloneโs rotation, getting more run throughout the course of the season and even playing some crunch-time minutes in the playoffs.
And now that heโs also an NBA champion, heโs joined an elite list and very exclusive club also featuring Bill Russell (San Francisco, Celtics), Magic Johnson (Michigan State, Lakers), Henry Bibby (UCLA, Knicks), and Billy Thompson (Louisville, Lakers).
Braun became an instant fan favorite in Denver because of his hustle and energy on both ends of the floor, making winning plays and embracing his role by making the most of every single one of his touches.
Heโs going to have an expanded role on Mike Maloneโs team going forward, as theyโre likely to let Bruce Brown go in free agency and will need someone to pick up the slack.
And with three straight high school titles under his belt, one thingโs for sure: Braun is a bonafide winner, and the kind of lucky charm you definitely want to have on your team.
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