Brandan Wright
Encyclopedia
Brandan Keith Wright is an American
professional basketball
player who last played for the New Jersey Nets
of the National Basketball Association
(NBA). Growing up in Tennessee
, Wright fast became a standout at his high school Brentwood Academy
, earning an unprecedented three "Mr. Basketball" titles, a feat no player at any level had ever done in Tennessee. After leading his high school team to four consecutive state championships, Wright was eventually recruited by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
's basketball team
. In his lone season as a Tar Heel, Wright was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year, and earned All-ACC Second Team honors. In the 2007 NBA Draft
, Wright was chosen eighth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats
, and in a draft night trade was dealt to the Golden State Warriors
for guard Jason Richardson
On February 23, 2011 Wright was traded to the New Jersey Nets
.
, Tennessee
. In high school, Wright became a two-time Parade All-American selection at Brentwood Academy
. As a senior, Wright averaged 22.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 5.1 blocks per contest, and also recorded four triple-doubles (points, rebounds, blocks). Wright earned Tennessee's Division II Mr. Basketball title in 2004, 2005, and 2006, becoming the first player ever to win the award three times at any level of Tennessee high school basketball. Wright led his Brentwood Academy team to four consecutive Tennessee state championships and was a four-time MVP of the Tennessee Division II private school state championship tournament. Wright led Brentwood Academy to four consecutive state titles, a first in Tennessee high school basketball history.
, starting all and averaging 14.7 points on 64.6% field goal shooting, 6.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.76 blocks per game. His .646 field goal percentage led the Atlantic Coast Conference
(ACC) and was the best ever by an ACC freshman. Wright led the North Carolina team in blocks (sixty-five, sixth in the ACC), and finished second on the team in scoring (14.7 ppg, thirteenth in the ACC) and rebounding (6.2 rpg, fourteenth in the ACC). He was also able to score 20-or-more points on eight different occasions. Wright was able to score in double digits in his first eighteen games as a Tar Heel, making Rashad McCants
and himself the only freshman Tar Heels to accomplish the feat in the last twenty years. Wright was named to the NCAA
All-East Regional Team after averaging 12.8 points and 7.0 rebounds in four Tournament contests. Eventually, Wright was named MVP of the ACC Tournament, becoming just the fifth freshman in conference history to win the award. Wright was also named Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year (the third straight Tar Heel to earn the honor) and earned All-ACC Second Team honors.
after his freshman year at the University of North Carolina. In the draft, Wright was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats
with the eighth overall pick. Wright was then acquired by the Golden State Warriors
in a draft-night trade in exchange for shooting guard Jason Richardson
and the draft rights to Jermareo Davidson
, whom Golden State chose with the 36th overall pick. Due to an injured hip flexor, Wright was unable to participate in summer league play during his rookie season. Of the thirty-eight games Wright played during his rookie season, he started in six. Wright entered the 2008-09 season with career averages of 4.0 points and 2.6 rebounds in 9.9 minutes over thirty-eight games in his rookie season. In January 2009, Wright partially dislocated his left shoulder late in the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers
.
On October 14, 2009 the Warriors extended Wright's contract until the end of the 2010–11 NBA season. Wright damaged his left shoulder capsule during practice on October 2, 2009. He underwent shoulder surgery and missed the 2009–10 season.
On February 23, 2011, Wright was traded to the New Jersey Nets
along with Dan Gadzuric
in exchange for Troy Murphy
and a second round pick.
| align="left"| 2007–08
| align="left"| Golden State
| 38||6||9.9||.554||.000||.675||2.6||.2||.2||.6||4.0
|-
| align="left"| 2008–09
| align="left"| Golden State
| 39||23||17.6||.528||.000||.741||4.0||.5||.6||.9||8.3
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left"| Golden State
| 21||1||9.3||.603||.000||.500||2.0||.2||.1||.5||4.0
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | New Jersey
| 16 || 1 || 11.5 || .407 || .000 || .824 || 3.0 || .4 || .5 || .4 || 3.6
|-
| align="left"| Career
| align="left"|
| 114||31||12.6||.531||.000||.712||3.0||.4||.3||.7||5.4
and that he is also a fan of Chris Bosh
's game and models some of his playing style from the two. He is considered to be a superior finisher from within twelve feet and especially at the rim. Wright's biggest weakness seems to be his strength at this point in his career, as well as his sporadic defensive efforts.
in Nashville
. Wright has participated in various community outreach projects associated with the Golden State Warriors, including the opening of a new Reading and Learning Center at Megan Furth Academy in San Francisco. Wright has also taken part in the team's Thanksgiving
Food Distribution event, made a visit to Children's Hospital in Oakland, and visited sessions of the Warriors Basketball Camp. Wright enjoys bowling
, fishing
, golf
ing, and playing video games. Wright's favorite actor is Will Smith
and favorite movie Bad Boys II
. Wright was a pitcher
when he played baseball
in his youth. He has said his favorite foods are fried chicken
and steak
. His favorite teams in other sports are the Atlanta Braves
(MLB
), Nashville Predators
(NHL
), and the Tennessee Titans
(NFL
). He wears a size fourteen shoe.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who last played for the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
of the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(NBA). Growing up in Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, Wright fast became a standout at his high school Brentwood Academy
Brentwood Academy
Brentwood Academy is a college preparatory school with a campus located in Brentwood, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville. Brentwood Academy is a coeducational, independent, college-preparatory school....
, earning an unprecedented three "Mr. Basketball" titles, a feat no player at any level had ever done in Tennessee. After leading his high school team to four consecutive state championships, Wright was eventually recruited by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
's basketball team
North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...
. In his lone season as a Tar Heel, Wright was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year, and earned All-ACC Second Team honors. In the 2007 NBA Draft
2007 NBA Draft
The 2007 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2007 at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. It was broadcast on television in 115 countries. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
, Wright was chosen eighth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
, and in a draft night trade was dealt to the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for guard Jason Richardson
Jason Richardson
Jason Anthoney "J-Rich" Richardson is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association.A 6'6", 225 lb...
On February 23, 2011 Wright was traded to the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
.
Early life
Wright was born and raised in NashvilleNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
. In high school, Wright became a two-time Parade All-American selection at Brentwood Academy
Brentwood Academy
Brentwood Academy is a college preparatory school with a campus located in Brentwood, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville. Brentwood Academy is a coeducational, independent, college-preparatory school....
. As a senior, Wright averaged 22.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 5.1 blocks per contest, and also recorded four triple-doubles (points, rebounds, blocks). Wright earned Tennessee's Division II Mr. Basketball title in 2004, 2005, and 2006, becoming the first player ever to win the award three times at any level of Tennessee high school basketball. Wright led his Brentwood Academy team to four consecutive Tennessee state championships and was a four-time MVP of the Tennessee Division II private school state championship tournament. Wright led Brentwood Academy to four consecutive state titles, a first in Tennessee high school basketball history.
College
Wright appeared in thirty-seven games in his lone season at the University of North CarolinaUniversity of North Carolina
Chartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century...
, starting all and averaging 14.7 points on 64.6% field goal shooting, 6.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.76 blocks per game. His .646 field goal percentage led the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
(ACC) and was the best ever by an ACC freshman. Wright led the North Carolina team in blocks (sixty-five, sixth in the ACC), and finished second on the team in scoring (14.7 ppg, thirteenth in the ACC) and rebounding (6.2 rpg, fourteenth in the ACC). He was also able to score 20-or-more points on eight different occasions. Wright was able to score in double digits in his first eighteen games as a Tar Heel, making Rashad McCants
Rashad McCants
Rashad Dion McCants is an American professional basketball player.-High school career:...
and himself the only freshman Tar Heels to accomplish the feat in the last twenty years. Wright was named to the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
All-East Regional Team after averaging 12.8 points and 7.0 rebounds in four Tournament contests. Eventually, Wright was named MVP of the ACC Tournament, becoming just the fifth freshman in conference history to win the award. Wright was also named Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year (the third straight Tar Heel to earn the honor) and earned All-ACC Second Team honors.
Professional career
Wright became an early candidate for the 2007 NBA Draft2007 NBA Draft
The 2007 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2007 at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. It was broadcast on television in 115 countries. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
after his freshman year at the University of North Carolina. In the draft, Wright was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
with the eighth overall pick. Wright was then acquired by the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in a draft-night trade in exchange for shooting guard Jason Richardson
Jason Richardson
Jason Anthoney "J-Rich" Richardson is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association.A 6'6", 225 lb...
and the draft rights to Jermareo Davidson
Jermareo Davidson
Jermareo Davidson is an American basketball player. He played power forward for the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team.-High school:...
, whom Golden State chose with the 36th overall pick. Due to an injured hip flexor, Wright was unable to participate in summer league play during his rookie season. Of the thirty-eight games Wright played during his rookie season, he started in six. Wright entered the 2008-09 season with career averages of 4.0 points and 2.6 rebounds in 9.9 minutes over thirty-eight games in his rookie season. In January 2009, Wright partially dislocated his left shoulder late in the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
.
On October 14, 2009 the Warriors extended Wright's contract until the end of the 2010–11 NBA season. Wright damaged his left shoulder capsule during practice on October 2, 2009. He underwent shoulder surgery and missed the 2009–10 season.
On February 23, 2011, Wright was traded to the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
along with Dan Gadzuric
Dan Gadzuric
Daniel "Dan" Gadzuric is a Dutch professional basketball player who plays for the Jiangsu Dragons in the CBA.Gadzuric, a center, attended preparatory school at The Governor's Academy in Massachusetts, U.S., before playing college basketball for the Bruins at University of California, Los Angeles...
in exchange for Troy Murphy
Troy Murphy
Troy Brandon Murphy is an American professional basketball power forward who last played with the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. Murphy was born in Morristown, New Jersey but grew up in Sparta Township located in northwest New Jersey...
and a second round pick.
NBA career statistics
- Statistics correct as of July 25, 2009
Regular season
|-| align="left"| 2007–08
| align="left"| Golden State
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 38||6||9.9||.554||.000||.675||2.6||.2||.2||.6||4.0
|-
| align="left"| 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left"| Golden State
| 39||23||17.6||.528||.000||.741||4.0||.5||.6||.9||8.3
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| align="left"| Golden State
| 21||1||9.3||.603||.000||.500||2.0||.2||.1||.5||4.0
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | New Jersey
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 16 || 1 || 11.5 || .407 || .000 || .824 || 3.0 || .4 || .5 || .4 || 3.6
|-
| align="left"| Career
| align="left"|
| 114||31||12.6||.531||.000||.712||3.0||.4||.3||.7||5.4
Player profile
Wright himself has said that growing up, his favorite player was Kevin GarnettKevin Garnett
Kevin Maurice Garnett is an American professional basketball player who currently plays power forward for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association . After a high school basketball career at Farragut Career Academy which included winning a national player of the year award, he...
and that he is also a fan of Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh
Christopher Wesson Bosh is an American professional basketball player who plays power forward for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association ....
's game and models some of his playing style from the two. He is considered to be a superior finisher from within twelve feet and especially at the rim. Wright's biggest weakness seems to be his strength at this point in his career, as well as his sporadic defensive efforts.
Off the court
Wright has two younger brothers, Brian and Trevor. The former currently plays basketball at Lipscomb UniversityLipscomb University
Lipscomb University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It is affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The campus is located in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville between Belmont Boulevard to the west and Granny White Pike on the east...
in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. Wright has participated in various community outreach projects associated with the Golden State Warriors, including the opening of a new Reading and Learning Center at Megan Furth Academy in San Francisco. Wright has also taken part in the team's Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
Food Distribution event, made a visit to Children's Hospital in Oakland, and visited sessions of the Warriors Basketball Camp. Wright enjoys bowling
Bowling
Bowling Bowling Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule...
, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
ing, and playing video games. Wright's favorite actor is Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
and favorite movie Bad Boys II
Bad Boys II
Bad Boys II is a 2003 action/comedy film directed by Michael Bay, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and starring Martin Lawrence and Will Smith. It is a sequel to the 1995 film Bad Boys. The film is about two police detectives investigating the flow of ecstasy into Miami...
. Wright was a pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
when he played baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
in his youth. He has said his favorite foods are fried chicken
Fried chicken
Fried chicken is a dish consisting of chicken pieces usually from broiler chickens which have been floured or battered and then pan fried, deep fried, or pressure fried. The breading adds a crisp coating or crust to the exterior...
and steak
Steak
A steak is a cut of meat . Most are cut perpendicular to the muscle fibers, improving the perceived tenderness of the meat. In North America, steaks are typically served grilled, pan-fried, or broiled. The more tender cuts from the loin and rib are cooked quickly, using dry heat, and served whole...
. His favorite teams in other sports are the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(MLB
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
), Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
(NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
), and the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
(NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
). He wears a size fourteen shoe.