Brandan Wright

Wright was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee.[2] In high school, Wright became a two-time first-team Parade All-American selection at Brentwood Academy.[2] 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, assists).[1] 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.[2] 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.[1][2] Wright led Brentwood Academy to four consecutive state titles, a first in Tennessee high school basketball history.[1]

Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Wright was listed as the No. 1 power forward and the No. 3 player in the nation in 2006.[3]

Wright appeared in thirty-seven games in his lone season at the University of North Carolina, 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.[1] His .646 field goal percentage led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and was the best ever by an ACC freshman.[1] 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).[1] He was also able to score 20-or-more points on eight occasions.[1] 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.[4] Wright was named to the NCAA All-East Regional Team after averaging 12.8 points and 7.0 rebounds in four Tournament contests.[1] Eventually, Wright was named MVP of the ACC Tournament, becoming just the fifth freshman in conference history to win the award.[1] 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.[1][5]

Wright himself has said that growing up, his favorite player was Kevin Garnett and that he is also a fan of Chris Bosh's game and models some of his playing style from the two.[2] He is considered to be a superior finisher from within twelve feet and especially at the rim.[27] Wright's biggest weakness seemed to be his strength, as well as his sporadic defensive efforts.[27]

Wright has two younger brothers, Brian and Trevor.[1] The former played basketball at Lipscomb University in Nashville from 2007 to 2011.[1][28] 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[29] in San Francisco.[1] 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.[1] Wright enjoys bowling, fishing, golfing, and playing video games.[1] Wright's favorite actor is Will Smith and favorite movie Bad Boys II.[1] Wright was a pitcher when he played baseball in his youth.[1] He has said his favorite foods are fried chicken and steak.[1] His favorite teams in other sports are the Atlanta Braves (MLB), Nashville Predators (NHL), and the Tennessee Titans (NFL).[1] He wears a size fourteen shoe.[1]

• 2006 high school boys basketball All-Americans

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• Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com