Photo by: Bryan Byerly/Utah Athletics
Carlson Named Pac-12 Player of the Week After Big Conference Opening Weekend
1/2/2024 1:01 PM | Men's Basketball
After a career-high weekend, Utah center Branden Carlson was named the Pac-12 Player of the Week.
SALT LAKE CITY – A career-high weekend to open league play saw Utah center Branden Carlson named the Pac-12 Player of the Week after leading the Runnin' Utes to their eighth-straight victory and kick-off conference action 2-0.
This is the third player of the week honor for Carlson and the fourth weekly award in his career after earning a freshman player of the week back in 2019-20. This is the fifth time since joining the league that the Utes have had multiple player of the week honorees in a single-season while this marks the 16th time a Ute has been named player of week. Carlson is also just the third Runnin' Utes to earn multiple player of the week honors in the same season, joining Timmy Allen (2x, 2019-20) and Jakob Poeltl (4x, 2015-16).
Carlson finished the opening weekend of Pac-12 play averaging 26.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.5 blocks while shooting .526 from the field and .545 from 3-point range (6 3FGM).
The South Jordan native opened the weekend with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks against Washington State as Utah hammered the Cougs in the second half for the 80-58 victory. Carlson then dominated the second-half to help Utah come back from a 15-point deficit thanks to his 27-point second-half. He would finish the game with a career-high 34 points with 7 rebounds and 7 assists – which was also a career-high.
Carlson became the only 7-footer since 1997-97 per Stats Perform to record 30-plus points with 7 rebounds and 7 assists in a single game and the second listed center since that time frame to record those numbers. Additionally, Carlson becomes just the fourth Ute since 1996-97 to have multiple 30-point games in a single season – joining Sedrick Barefield (2, 2018-19), Andrew Bogut (2, 2004-05) and Keith Van Horn (5, 1996-97).
The Runnin' Utes hit the road this week as conference play continues with Arizona State on Thursday, Jan. 4, at 9 p.m. (MT) on ESPN2 before heading to McKale Center to play #10/10 Arizona on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 6 p.m. (MT) on Pac-12 Networks.
For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, X and Instagram.
This is the third player of the week honor for Carlson and the fourth weekly award in his career after earning a freshman player of the week back in 2019-20. This is the fifth time since joining the league that the Utes have had multiple player of the week honorees in a single-season while this marks the 16th time a Ute has been named player of week. Carlson is also just the third Runnin' Utes to earn multiple player of the week honors in the same season, joining Timmy Allen (2x, 2019-20) and Jakob Poeltl (4x, 2015-16).
Carlson finished the opening weekend of Pac-12 play averaging 26.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.5 blocks while shooting .526 from the field and .545 from 3-point range (6 3FGM).
The South Jordan native opened the weekend with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks against Washington State as Utah hammered the Cougs in the second half for the 80-58 victory. Carlson then dominated the second-half to help Utah come back from a 15-point deficit thanks to his 27-point second-half. He would finish the game with a career-high 34 points with 7 rebounds and 7 assists – which was also a career-high.
Carlson became the only 7-footer since 1997-97 per Stats Perform to record 30-plus points with 7 rebounds and 7 assists in a single game and the second listed center since that time frame to record those numbers. Additionally, Carlson becomes just the fourth Ute since 1996-97 to have multiple 30-point games in a single season – joining Sedrick Barefield (2, 2018-19), Andrew Bogut (2, 2004-05) and Keith Van Horn (5, 1996-97).
The Runnin' Utes hit the road this week as conference play continues with Arizona State on Thursday, Jan. 4, at 9 p.m. (MT) on ESPN2 before heading to McKale Center to play #10/10 Arizona on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 6 p.m. (MT) on Pac-12 Networks.
For the latest news and information on the Runnin' Utes men's basketball program, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following @UtahMBB on Facebook, X and Instagram.
###
Players Mentioned
C
/ Men's Basketball No videos available.
