HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Following his standout two-year career with the Northern Kentucky men's basketball program, center Chris Brandon will join the professional ranks after singing with Kauhajoki Karhu Basket of the Finland Korislilga league, the top-tier professional basketball league in Finland. The program also competes in the FIBA European Cup.
 
Brandon made a huge impact over his two seasons with the Norse as one of the best centers in the Horizon League to go with being one of the best rebounders in NCAA Division I basketball.
 
In 2022-23, Brandon averaged 6.7 points and 9.9 rebounds to go with overall totals of 236 points, 347 rebounds, 35 steals, 28 assists and 24 blocks. He ranked eighth in all of NCAA DI in total rebounds and was tied for 14th in the nation in boards per contest. Brandon also led the Horizon League in rebounding and field goal percentage and finished sixth in rejections.
 
His 347 rebounds this past season set a NKU school record for most in a single campaign, passing Norse legend Drew McDonald's 308 posted in 2017-18. Brandon also ranks fifth all-time at Northern Kentucky in a single season with his 9.9 rebound per game average. In just two years at NKU, he also pulled down 585 boards overall, a mark that ranks 15th in school history with just 67 games played as a Norse. His career average of 7.3 boards per contest also slots in at 10th all-time in program history.
 
"Brandon's dominance on the boards is truly remarkable," Elevate Sports Agency said when announcing the professional signing. "During his time at Northern Kentucky University, he led the Horizon League in rebounds and even secured a spot among the top-8 rebounders in the NCAA!"
 
"His tenacity and skill were evident in the 2022-23 season, where he led the Horizon in offensive rebounds, making him an invaluable asset to any team's offense," the organization added. "Aside from his exceptional rebounding abilities, Brandon has also shown great prowess on the defensive end and in 2019, he earned a well-deserved spot on the Horizon All-Defense Team after leading the conference in blocks, showcasing his versatility and impact on both ends of the court."
 
For his collegiate career, which included three years at Horizon rival Detroit Mercy, the Houston native finished with 752 points, 1,041 rebounds, 120 blocks, 100 steals and 78 assists. Brandon also shot 65.8 percent from the field for his career, which included a mark of 65.2 percent in his final season at NKU.
 
 
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