Utes Center Branden Carlson Named Pac-12 Freshman Of The Week

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – University of Utah men’s basketball center Branden Carlson was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week after his performances against Stanford and California this past week.

This is Carlson’s first honor and the second Freshman of the Week award for Utah with Rylan Jones winning back on January 27.

The South Jordan, Utah native had a career-night in the Utes’ big overtime win over Stanford on Thursday night. Carlson recorded 15 points, 10 rebounds and 8 blocks. He tied Jason Washburn for third on Utah’s all-time single game blocks list. It was Carlson’s first career double-double.

In Utah’s win over California on Saturday, Carlson chipped in six points, one rebound and one block while fouling out of the game late in the second half.

Carlson is only the fourth freshman this season to record eight blocks in a single game at the Division I level. He joined Joshua Morgan from Long Beach State, USC big man Onyeka Okongwu and Eric Rustin from UT Martin. Also, Carlson is only the 24th player this season to record eight or more blocks in a single game.

Our @pac12 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠 @ballerbranden35! 💪💥#GoUtes🏀🔴 #Pac12Hoops pic.twitter.com/QbF5fHDp7p

— Utah Basketball🏀 (@UtahMBB) February 10, 2020

The Utes will take their two-game winning streak on the road when they square off with the Oregon State Beavers on Thursday night at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.

The University of Utah women’s basketball team received an award as well as Brynna Maxwell was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week as the Utes picked up a road sweep over the Washington schools.

In their 74-65 win over Washington, Maxwell had a game-high 16 points along with 7 rebounds and 2 steals in her hometown in front of family and friends in Seattle. Against Washington State, Maxwell dropped 22 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in their 78-66 win.

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