How did former Kansas forward Parker Braun fare in his first NBA Summer League game?

Former University of Kansas forward Parker Braun knew quite a bit about the Denver Nuggets organization prior to accepting a spot on the 2023 NBA champion’s summer league team on July 7.

“I watch them all,” Braun, a 6-foot-10, 235-pound, 24-year-old native of Burlington, Kansas, said, referring to Nuggets games of the past two seasons.

Parker’s brother, Christian, a member of KU’s 2022 NCAA title team, has been a part of the Nuggets’ regular rotation in both his rookie campaign and 2023-24.

“(Wearing) any jersey would be great, but being here (on the Nuggets) with Christian is obviously special, Getting to put this (jersey) on, getting to follow in his footsteps so to say … he kind of paved the way. We (Braun family) are really proud of everything he’s done. This is special. This is a great opportunity,” Parker Braun added.

Christian Braun, who is hoping to be a starter in 2024-25 — his third season in the NBA — is not part of the Nuggets’ summer league squad competing in Las Vegas. Parker, who averaged 2.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 34 games his one season at KU, is a member of the team in the Vegas summer league.

Parker did not play in two summer league games entering Tuesday’s contest against the Charlotte Hornets.

In his first appearance in an NBA jersey Tuesday, Braun grabbed four rebounds with one assist, one steal, one block and one turnover (while playing 11 minutes) in the Nuggets’ 80-66 loss. Braun, who did not score, was 0-for-2 from the field and missed his only attempt from 3.

Meanwhile, former KU guard Marcus Garrett in his first appearance in three games for the Hornets, had 10 points, two rebounds and one assist in 15 minutes. He was 2-of-4 shooting — 1-of-2 from 3 and 5-of-5 from the line.

“Awesome,” Parker Braun said of the summer league experience in an interview with reporters who cover the Nuggets. “Getting to know everybody, kind of coming together as a team, kind of bouncing around trying to figure everybody’s games, figure where we all fit in … I think it’s going to be a great opportunity.”

Nuggets reporters asked Braun to describe his own game.

“I think versatility, being able to do a little bit of everything on the court, doing whatever is asked of me,” Braun said. “It might not be flashy (but) making winning plays.”

Braun said the best way to get the attention of the summer coaches would be by “winning.” Denver is 0-3 in summer league play.

“That is what stands out the most to coaches and the organization. We’re going to go out there and win,” Braun said. “That’s what Christian said too.”

Parker did speak with Christian prior to this summer tryout of sorts.

“A little bit. He’s on vacation right now. I try to stay out of his hair, let him enjoy his down time,” Parker said. “He asked me a couple times how it’s going, checking in. Nothing too serious. (He says) to go play hard and leave it all out there. It’s fun but at the same time a business trip.”

Media members who cover the Nuggets asked Parker a lot about Christian, of course, during a 10-minute interview.

The Nuggets lost to Minnesota in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. Thus Christian was denied in his bid to become only the second player in history to win an NCAA title his final year in college followed by two titles to open an NBA career. Billy Thompson won an NCAA title his senior year at Louisville, then his first two years in the NBA with the Lakers.

“Yes,” Parker Braun said, asked if Christian took the loss hard. Christian also won three consecutive state titles at Blue Valley Northwest High.

“I tried to call him afterward. We normally talk after every game but I tried to call him. He didn’t answer. I said, ‘All right, I’ll try to let it cool down.’ I tried to call him the next day. He still didn’t answer. I’m like, ‘At this point I hope he’s OK.’ My mom was like, ‘I think he’s going to come to town (Overland Park) Friday.’ I didn’t hear from him until he got to town.

“I think he took it pretty personally. I think it kind of hurt him a lot especially how much he’s won at every level. He wants to win it every year he plays. He wants to win every game he plays. Hopefully he’ll have a big offseason, step in a bigger role and hopefully we’ll go back and watch him in The Finals again.”

Parker recalled his brother’s taking part in a victory parade in Denver in which he mingled with fans on the parade route in the summer of 2023.

“He is a work hard, play hard kind of guy. He deserved it, winning literally at the highest level,” Parker said. “You are the world champion. He had the right to go celebrate a little bit.”

Parker said he has something in common with his brother: “I love playing the game. It might not be as fiery, screaming out there like Christian. Definitely you want to win every possession.”

Parker told the Denver media he’s competed with his brother in various sports, even eating competitions, their entire lives. Parker said he’s better than Christian in at least one sport.

“I am more proud of my golf game. I think it is way better than his,” Parker Braun said. “This summer I thought we may have some competition. I think I’ve got him by a mile in golf. I’ll hold it over his head. He’ll definitely go out and try his best. I don’t think he’ll be able to do it.”

Johnny Furphy, Jalen Wilson among KU standouts

Former KU guard Johnny Furphy of the Indiana Pacers scored in double figures in his third straight summer league game. The 19-year-old Melbourne, Australia native scored 18 points on 6-of-17 shooting (4-of-11 from 3) Tuesday in Indiana’s 98-94 win over the Phoenix Suns. Furphy had eight rebounds and two steals in 33 minutes for the (1-2) Pacers.

Former KU wing Jalen Wilson, who is trying to win a starting spot in his second season in the NBA, scored 27 points on 8-of-16 shooting (5-of-10 from 3 and 6-of-8 from the line) while playing 30 minutes in Brooklyn’s 92-85 win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday. Wilson had three rebounds, an assist and a steal for the Nets (2-1).