Branden Dawson

Branden James Dawson (born February 1, 1993) is an American former professional basketball player. A native of Gary, Indiana, he attended Lew Wallace High School and played college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans. In his senior season for Michigan State, he helped his team reach the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.

Dawson played high school basketball for Lew Wallace, under coach Renaldo Thomas. He had to sit out most of his freshman season, being academically ineligible. Dawson was selected for the 2011 McDonald's All-American Boys Game following his senior year. In his senior season, Dawson helped his team win the sectional championship; scoring a team-high 13 points, also adding 8 rebounds and 6 steals to his numbers, he helped his Lew Wallace get past Clark. In the regional finals against Western, Dawson had game-highs in scoring and rebounding with 28 and 15 respectively, but his team lost 69–65. As a senior, he averaged 28.7 points, 18.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists for Lew Wallace. Dawson was a five-star recruit according to both Rivals.com and Scout.com and received a 96 grade by ESPN.

"Men's Basketball Recruiting". Scout. "ESPN – Michigan State Spartans Basketball Recruiting 2011". ESPN. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. "2011 Team Ranking". Rivals. | | | | | |

Following interest from several schools, receiving offers from Purdue, Indiana, UCLA, Georgetown and Marquette among others, Dawson verbally committed to Michigan State in August 2010. He had 15 points and 9 rebounds in his first game for the Spartans, an exhibition 85–57 win against Ferris State. Dawson scored 10 points in his competitive debut for Michigan State, a 67–55 loss to North Carolina in the 2011 Carrier Classic. He scored a season high 16 points on two occasions, against UMKC and Minnesota. His freshman season came to an end after he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament, in a game against Ohio State. He still managed to average 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game as a freshman.

Dawson had a double-double in the season opener of his sophomore season, having 15 points and 10 rebounds, against Connecticut. In January, Dawson's double-double performance versus Purdue, with 14 points and 11 rebounds, was overshadowed by an alleged physical altercation with Travis Carroll; the Big Ten after reviewing the incident's footage decided not to discipline Dawson. Dawson was involved in a fight with teammate and roommate Adreian Payne, just before an away game at Penn State; both Dawson and Payne were not allowed to start the game by coach Tom Izzo. A few days after the incident with Payne, Dawson had a season-high performance in both scoring and rebounding, with 18 and 13 respectively, to help the Spartans overcome Wisconsin 49–47. He improved to 8.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

In January 2014, Dawson broke his right hand, after slamming it on a table during a film session. He posted averages 11.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 28.3 minutes per game during his junior season. Dawson returned from injury on March 1, 2014, after missing 9 games, and eventually would lead Michigan State to a 2014 Big Ten men's basketball tournament championship, being named Big Ten tournament Most Outstanding Player.

As a senior, he was named second team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive Team. In 35 games as a senior, Dawson averaged 11.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. as well as the 2015 Final Four as a senior, where they lost to Duke. "This is the main reason why I chose Michigan State," Dawson said. "It was to be part of championships and Final Fours. It means a lot what has happened over my four years here. I'm never going to forget Michigan State."

During his four-year career at Michigan State Dawson played in 130 games. starting in 121 of them. He averaged 26.6 minutes a game. He averaged 10.1 points a game, and 6.9 Rebounds a game. Throughout his four-year career, Dawson never made a three-point shot in nine attempts. At the time of his graduation, Dawson was Michigan State's all-time leader in blocked shots, with 142.

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On June 25, 2015, Dawson was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the 56th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft, only to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for cash considerations later that night. After posting 12.8 points and 10.3 rebounds in 25.5 minutes per game in the 2015 NBA Summer League, he signed a two-year contract with the Clippers on July 15. During his rookie season, using the flexible assignment rule, Dawson received multiple assignments to the Bakersfield Jam, Grand Rapids Drive and Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League. On December 28, he made his NBA debut, recording one blocked shot in three minutes of action against the Washington Wizards. On January 2, 2016, in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Dawson scored his first two NBA points in nine minutes of action. On July 17, 2016, he was waived by the Clippers.

On September 8, 2016, Dawson signed with the Orlando Magic, but was later waived on October 16 after appearing in two preseason games. On October 29, he was acquired by the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of the Magic. On March 29, 2017, Dawson was waived by the BayHawks.

On March 31, 2017, Dawson signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League for the rest of the season. In 8 games played for Hapoel, he averaged 8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

On August 13, 2017, Dawson signed with the Sun Rockers Shibuya of the Japanese B. League. In 10 games played for the Sun Rockers, he averaged 6.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game.

On July 15, 2019, Dawson signed with Cañeros del Este of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto.

On December 19, 2018, Dawson signed with Soles de Mexicali of the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP). On January 9, 2019, Dawson recorded career-highs of 25 points and 18 rebounds, while shooting 10-of-18 from the field, along with seven assists in a 111–90 win over Correcaminos UAT Victoria. In 21 LNBP games played during the 2018–19 season, he averaged 14.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.

Dawson finished out the season with the Gigantes de Jalisco of the Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacífico (CIBACOPA).

In July 2019, Dawson joined Metropolitanos de Mauricio Báez from the Torneo Superior de Baloncesto.

On September 3, 2019, Dawson returned to Cañeros del Este of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto.

On November 29, 2019, Dawson signed a two-month contract with Bnei Herzliya of the Israeli National League as an injury cover for Jakim Donaldson. On December 14, 2019, he parted ways with Herzliya after appearing in two games due to an injury.

On March 3, 2020, Dawson signed with Cocodrilos de Caracas of the Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto.

In November 2020, Dawson signed a contract with Kaohsiung Jeoutai Technology of Super Basketball League in Taiwan.

On February 7, 2021, Kaohsiung Jeoutai Technology waived Dawson.

On February 15, 2021, Dawson signed with Hsinchu JKO Lioneers of P. League+ in Taiwan. On February 21, 2021, Dawnson made his P.League+ debut and scored 21 points and 13 rebounds in a game against the league leading Taipei Fubon Braves. On June 4, 2021, Hsinchu JKO Lioneers announced Dawnson would return to the team the next season.

On November 2, 2022, Dawson signed with TaiwanBeer HeroBears of T1 League. On April 4, 2023, TaiwanBeer HeroBears terminated the contract relationship with Dawson.

On April 22, 2023, Dawson signed with Spartans Distrito Capital of the Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto.

On September 10, 2023, Dawson signed with Club Rafael Barias of the Torneo Superior de Baloncesto.

On July 24, 2024, Dawson signed with Indios de San Francisco de Macorís of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto.

On January 27, 2025, Dawson retired from professional basketball.

Dawson was born on February 1, 1993, to Leon Albritton and Cassandra Dawson. On March 30, 2010, while a junior at high school, Dawson became a father, to a son named My'Shawn. Dawson received a degree in sociology from Michigan State University.

• Career statistics from NBA.com · Basketball Reference
• NBA D-League profile
• Michigan State bio
• RealGM profile