{{short description|American basketball player}} {{For|the American film producer|Josh Braun}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}} {{Infobox basketball biography | name = Joshua Braun | image = | caption = | position = Shooting guard | height_m = 1.93<!--As of October 2020, per https://dieeisbaeren.de/team/mannschaft--> | weight_kg = 88<!--As of October 2020, per https://dieeisbaeren.de/team/mannschaft--> | league = | team = Free agent | number = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1994|7|7}} | birth_place = Anthem, Arizona, U.S. | high_school = * Boulder Creek (Anthem, Arizona) * Westwind Prep (Phoenix, Arizona) | college = Grand Canyon (2014–2018) | draft_year = 2018 | career_start = 2019 | career_end = | years1 = 2019 | team1 = Kalamunda Eastern Suns | years2 = 2019–2021 | team2 = Eisbären Bremerhaven | years3 = 2024 | team3 = Geraldton Buccaneers | highlights = * SBL MVP (2019) * All-SBL First Team (2019) * 2× First-team All-WAC (2016, 2017) * Second-team All-WAC (2018) * WAC All-Newcomer Team (2015) }}
'''Joshua David Braun''' (born July 7, 1994)<ref name=jdb>{{cite web|url=https://www.2basketballbundesliga.de/teams/kader/spieler/4779/|title=Joshua David Braun|work=2basketballbundesliga.de|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524062809/https://www.2basketballbundesliga.de/teams/kader/spieler/4779/|archivedate=May 24, 2020|language=German}}</ref> is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Geraldton Buccaneers of the NBL1 West. He played four years of college basketball for the Grand Canyon Antelopes, where he finished as the school's second all-time leading scorer and set the record for most career 3-pointers made. He was also a two-time first-team All-WAC honoree. He made his professional debut in 2019 in Australia with the Kalamunda Eastern Suns of the State Basketball League (SBL), where he was named the SBL Most Valuable Player. He then played two seasons in Germany with Eisbären Bremerhaven of the ProA between 2019 and 2021.
==High school career== Born and raised in Anthem, Arizona, Braun attended Boulder Creek High School and played three seasons for the school's basketball team.<ref name=gcu-bio>{{cite web|url=https://gculopes.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/joshua-braun/4584|title=Joshua Braun|work=gculopes.com|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523103734/https://gculopes.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/joshua-braun/4584|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref> As a freshman in 2009–10, he helped the school win its first state championship while averaging 10.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.<ref name="gcu-bio" /> He put Boulder Creek's program on the map when he blocked a potential-game winning layup in the last second of the state championship game.<ref name=heart>{{cite web|last=Obert|first=Richard|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/gcu/2016/01/15/gcus-joshua-braun-has-been-heart-soul-emerging-ncaa-division-basketball-team/78860132/|title=GCU's Joshua Braun has been heart, soul of emerging NCAA Division I basketball team|work=azcentral.com|date=January 15, 2016|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20200523104235/https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/gcu/2016/01/15/gcus-joshua-braun-has-been-heart-soul-emerging-ncaa-division-basketball-team/78860132/|archivedate=May 23, 2020|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref> As a sophomore in 2010–11, he averaged 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game en route to being named player of the year in the Northwest Region.<ref name="gcu-bio" /> As a junior in 2011–12, he averaged 18.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.<ref name="gcu-bio" />
For his senior year of high school, Braun transferred to Westwind Preparatory Academy in Phoenix.<ref name="gcu-bio" /> The transfer to Westwind would provide much-needed increased exposure to recruiters since the school traveled the country playing top high school programs.<ref name=Preuss>{{cite web|last=Preuss|first=Art|url=http://phxfan.com/2017/11/joshua-braun-face-heart-gcu-basketball/|title=Joshua Braun: The face – and heart – of GCU basketball|work=phxfan.com|date=November 9, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524100746/http://phxfan.com/2017/11/joshua-braun-face-heart-gcu-basketball/|archivedate=May 24, 2020}}</ref> However, during the summer in an AAU game, he tore the ACL in his right knee.<ref name="Preuss" /> An intense rehab regimen got him ready for the 2012–13 season,<ref name="Preuss" /> where he averaged 9.7 points for Westwind.<ref name="gcu-bio" /> In the spring, he tore the ACL in his other knee.<ref name=coro>{{cite web|last=Coro|first=Paul|url=https://gculopes.com/news/2017/11/7/mens-basketball-coro-braun-becomes-a-better-josh.aspx|title=Coro: Braun becomes 'a better Josh'|work=gculopes.com|date=November 7, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523105415/https://gculopes.com/news/2017/11/7/mens-basketball-coro-braun-becomes-a-better-josh.aspx|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Pequeno|first=Joe|url=https://www.azfamily.com/archives/grand-canyon-universitys-josh-braun-is-a-great-player-and-great-person/article_e58a2c88-7908-5824-bfb8-c24762d618af.html|title=Grand Canyon University's Josh Braun is a great player and great person|work=azfamily.com|date=December 8, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523105605/https://www.azfamily.com/archives/grand-canyon-universitys-josh-braun-is-a-great-player-and-great-person/article_e58a2c88-7908-5824-bfb8-c24762d618af.html|archivedate=May 23, 2020|quote=Before his senior season, he blew out his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. He recovered and then eventually blew out his ACL in his other knee.}}</ref>
==College career== ===Redshirt season (2013–14)=== Coming off two knee injuries to finish his high school career, Braun was left with just two college offers, one of them from Drake University. However, before he could take the offer from Drake, the school fired the entire coaching staff.<ref name="Preuss" /> He later inquired at Grand Canyon University (GCU), despite the fact that the school was a Division II program at the time. GCU were interested in him, but before he could commit, once again the coaching staff was let go.<ref name="Preuss" />
The incoming coaching staff at GCU led by head coach Dan Majerle still had interest in Braun.<ref name="Preuss" /> Majerle was hired to navigate GCU through a four-year Division I transition,<ref name="coro" /> and on May 1, 2013, Braun became Majerle's first signing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gculopes.com/news/2013/5/1/MBB_0501131943.aspx|title=Majerle Inks Valley Prep Star Joshua Braun|work=gculopes.com|date=May 1, 2013|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523112535/https://gculopes.com/news/2013/5/1/MBB_0501131943.aspx|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref> However, Braun spent his first year at GCU as a redshirt<ref name="heart" /><ref name=short-handed>{{cite web|last=Obert|first=Richard|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/gcu/2016/12/02/short-handed-gcu-hopes-stay-competitive-home-vs-louisville/94800950/|title=Short-handed GCU hopes to stay competitive at home vs. Louisville|work=azcentral.com|date=December 2, 2016|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20200523123228/https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/gcu/2016/12/02/short-handed-gcu-hopes-stay-competitive-home-vs-louisville/94800950/|archivedate=May 23, 2020|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref> after suffering a torn meniscus in one of his surgically repaired knees while practicing with the team in the lead-up to the 2013–14 season.<ref name="Preuss" /><ref name=cohen>{{cite web|last=Cohen|first=Jared|url=https://www.sports360az.com/2015/01/braun-ie-points-gcu-forward-making-fresh-start/|title=Braun-ie Points: GCU Forward Making Most of Fresh Start|work=sports360az.com|date=January 9, 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524101330/https://www.sports360az.com/2015/01/braun-ie-points-gcu-forward-making-fresh-start/|archivedate=May 24, 2020}}</ref> Throughout the two-year ordeal, Braun ended up having four knee surgeries.<ref name="cohen" />
===Freshman year (2014–15)=== Braun made his debut for the Antelopes in the 2014–15 season and played power forward on a team that lacked rebounders.<ref name="heart" /> After playing sparingly over the first six games, an injury to a teammate saw Braun record 21 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes on November 29 against Central Michigan.<ref name="coro" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/66700/type/mens-college-basketball/year/2015|title=Joshua Braun – Game Log 2014–15|work=ESPN.com|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523115825/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/66700/type/mens-college-basketball/year/2015|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref> He posted a season-high 25 points against Texas Pan-American on January 24 and had a season-high 10 rebounds against Kansas City on January 29.<ref name="gcu-bio" /> He appeared in all 32 games with 26 starts, as he averaged 11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He led the Antelopes in points scored (379) and 3-point percentage (.381), while finishing eighth highest in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) for field goal percentage (.460) and sixth in 3-point percentage. He subsequently earned WAC All-Newcomer Team honors.<ref name="gcu-bio" />
===Sophomore year (2015–16)=== As a sophomore in 2015–16, Braun moved to guard<ref name="heart" /> and started 33 of 34 games while averaging 16.6 points and a career-high 5.2 rebounds. He earned first-team All-WAC honors and led the league in both 3-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage.<ref name="gcu-bio" /> He was honored as the WAC Player of the Week for the week of January 4–10<ref name="gcu-bio" /> after recording 23 points and 11 rebounds on January 9 against New Mexico State.<ref name="heart" /><ref name=gamelog1516>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/66700/type/mens-college-basketball/year/2016|title=Joshua Braun – Game Log 2015–16|work=ESPN.com|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523122351/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/66700/type/mens-college-basketball/year/2016|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref> He scored 30 or more points three times,<ref name="gamelog1516" /> including a career-high 34 points on January 16 against Utah Valley.<ref name="gcu-bio" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400846809|title=Braun scores 34 points; Grand Canyon beats Utah Valley 99-88|work=ESPN.com|date=January 16, 2016|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523122659/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400846809|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref>
===Junior year (2016–17)=== Braun came into his junior year having undergone knee and ankle surgery during the off-season.<ref name="short-handed" /> He entered the regular season as the Preseason WAC Player of the Year.<ref name="short-handed" /> On November 28, 2016, a painful knee limited him to 10 minutes and no points against SIU Edwardsville.<ref name="short-handed" /><ref name=gamelog1617>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/66700/type/mens-college-basketball/year/2017|title=Joshua Braun – Game Log 2016–17|work=ESPN.com|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523124137/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/66700/type/mens-college-basketball/year/2017|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref> He subsequently missed nine games and the entire month of December after undergoing further knee surgery.<ref name="gcu-bio" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Obert|first=Richard|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/gcu/2016/12/21/gcu-point-guard-dewayne-russell-hobbling-after-latest-win/95704444/|title=GCU point guard DeWayne Russell hobbled after latest win|work=azcentral.com|date=December 21, 2016|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20200523124910/https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/gcu/2016/12/21/gcu-point-guard-dewayne-russell-hobbling-after-latest-win/95704444/|archivedate=May 23, 2020|quote=The Antelopes lost top returning scorer Joshua Braun after six games with a knee that needed surgery. He could be back in January.|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://arizonasports.com/story/995902/dewayne-russell-knee-injury-grand-canyon-basketball/|title=GCU's Russell carried off, returns after injury scare in win vs. San Diego Christian|work=arizonasports.com|date=January 17, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523124617/https://arizonasports.com/story/995902/dewayne-russell-knee-injury-grand-canyon-basketball/|archivedate=May 23, 2020|quote=The win was the third in four games this month for Grand Canyon (12-7) and is also the fourth straight game for Braun to score 16 points or better since a knee injury kept him out of all nine games in December.}}</ref> In his first game back on January 7, 2017, Braun scored a season-high 31 points (including a career-high 21 points in the first half) and made a career-high seven 3-pointers in an 82–72 win over Utah Valley.<ref name="gcu-bio" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400918053|title=Braun has 31 points, Grand Canyon rolls over Utah Valley|work=ESPN.com|date=January 7, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523125528/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400918053|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref> He earned WAC Player of the Week for the week of February 20–26 after averaging 28.5 points in wins over Chicago State and Kansas City.<ref name="gcu-bio" /> He led the WAC in 3-pointers made, and in 22 games in 2016–17, he averaged 17.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He subsequently earned first-team All-WAC honors for the second straight year.<ref name="gcu-bio" />
===Senior year (2017–18)=== Braun was again named Preseason WAC Player of the Year heading into his senior season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wacsports.com/sports/mbkb/2017-18/releases/mens-basketball-wac-coaches-select-grand-canyon-gcus-braun-as-preseason-favorites.html|title=WAC Coaches Select Grand Canyon, GCU's Braun as Preseason Favorites|work=wacsports.com|date=October 11, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523130820/https://www.wacsports.com/sports/mbkb/2017-18/releases/mens-basketball-wac-coaches-select-grand-canyon-gcus-braun-as-preseason-favorites.html|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref> However, a slip in his shooting<ref name=senior-spotlight>{{cite web|last=Coro|first=Paul|url=https://gculopes.com/news/2018/3/2/mens-basketball-senior-spotlight-joshua-braun.aspx|title=Senior spotlight: Joshua Braun|work=gculopes.com|date=March 2, 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523131751/https://gculopes.com/news/2018/3/2/mens-basketball-senior-spotlight-joshua-braun.aspx|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref> led to a drop from a career-high 17.5 points per game as a junior to a career-low 11.4 points per game in the 2017–18 season.<ref name="gcu-bio" /> On November 18, he scored 22 of his season-high 29 points in the first half of GCU's 76–51 win over Little Rock.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400990372|title=Grand Canyon has easy time with Little Rock, wins 76-51|work=ESPN.com|date=November 18, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523132719/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400990372|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref><ref name=gamelog1718>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/66700/type/mens-college-basketball/year/2018|title=Joshua Braun – Game Log 2017–18|work=ESPN.com|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523132342/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/66700/type/mens-college-basketball/year/2018|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref> With GCU eligible for postseason play for the first time following their four-year Division I transition, the Antelopes entered the 2018 WAC tournament as the third seed and reached the championship game, where they lost 72–58 to New Mexico State.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401020543|title=New Mexico State wins 5th straight WAC tourney title|work=ESPN.com|date=March 12, 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523133254/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401020543|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref> Braun made just one 3-pointer and shot 6-of-20 overall over the three tournament games, including going scoreless in the quarterfinal against Kansas City.<ref name="gamelog1718" /> In the Antelopes' first-round loss to Mercer in the CBI tournament, Braun went scoreless on 0-of-7 shooting with five rebounds in 17 minutes in what was his final college game.<ref name="gamelog1718" /> For the season, he was named to the All-WAC second team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arizonasports.com/story/1451981/gcu-basketballs-alessandro-lever-joshua-braun-make-wac-teams/|title=GCU basketball's Alessandro Lever, Joshua Braun make All-WAC teams|work=arizonasports.com|date=March 6, 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523134234/https://arizonasports.com/story/1451981/gcu-basketballs-alessandro-lever-joshua-braun-make-wac-teams/|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref>
For his career, Braun scored the second-most points (1,716) in the 69-season history of Grand Canyon basketball, ranking him behind only Bayard Forrest (2,195). He also finished with the record for most career 3-pointers made (257).<ref name="senior-spotlight" /><ref name=sign-australia>{{cite web|last=Coro|first=Paul|url=https://gculopes.com/news/2019/2/12/mens-basketball-insider-braun-goes-pro-down-under.aspx|title=Insider: Braun heads Down Under|work=gculopes.com|date=February 12, 2019|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523140730/https://gculopes.com/news/2019/2/12/mens-basketball-insider-braun-goes-pro-down-under.aspx|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gculopes.com/documents/2019/10/28//2019_20_GCU_MBB_Media_Guide_V3_Web.pdf|title=2019–20 GCU MBB Media Guide|work=gculopes.com|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212155457/https://gculopes.com/documents/2019/10/28//2019_20_GCU_MBB_Media_Guide_V3_Web.pdf|archivedate=December 12, 2019}}</ref>
Braun, a graduate student, was considered a standout athletically and academically as he was a three-time Academic All-American (first team in 2016 and 2017; third team in 2018).<ref name="senior-spotlight" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Joshua-Braun/Summary/57626|title=Joshua Braun Player Profile|work=RealGM.com|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524073257/https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Joshua-Braun/Summary/57626|archivedate=May 24, 2020}}</ref> He finished with a 3.60 GPA and earned the MBA degree.<ref>{{cite web|last=Teitel|first=Jon|url=https://hoopshd.com/2018/03/16/basketball-and-brains-hoopshd-interviews-grand-canyon-academic-all-american-joshua-braun/|title=Basketball and brains: HoopsHD interviews Grand Canyon Academic All-American Joshua Braun|work=hoopshd.com|date=March 16, 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524073925/https://hoopshd.com/2018/03/16/basketball-and-brains-hoopshd-interviews-grand-canyon-academic-all-american-joshua-braun/|archivedate=May 24, 2020}}</ref>
===College statistics=== {{NBA player statistics start}} |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2014–15 | style="text-align:left;"| Grand Canyon | 32 || 26 || 26.8 || '''.460''' || .381 || .775 || 4.9 || .8 || '''.8''' || '''.8''' || 11.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2015–16 | style="text-align:left;"| Grand Canyon | '''34''' || 33 || 30.7 || .438 || .392 || '''.868''' || '''5.2''' || 1.1 || '''.8''' || .7 || 16.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17 | style="text-align:left;"| Grand Canyon | 22 || 22 || '''33.6''' || .445 || '''.416''' || .803 || 4.6 || '''1.4''' || .5 || .4 || '''17.5''' |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18 | style="text-align:left;"| Grand Canyon | '''34''' || '''34''' || 29.4 || .372 || .340 || .742 || 3.8 || '''1.4''' || '''.8''' || .5 || 11.4 |- | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|'''Career''' | 122 || 115 || 29.8 || .427 || .381 || .813 || 4.6 || 1.1 || .7 || .6 || 14.1 |- {{S-end}}
==Professional career== In August 2018, Braun was on the verge of joining German club Karlsruhe Lions<ref name=Karlsruhe>{{cite web|last=Rose|first=Dietmar|url=https://www.norderlesen.de/Leute/Joshua-Braun-wechselt-nach-Bremerhaven--1145.html|title=Joshua Braun wechselt nach Bremerhaven|work=norderlesen.de|date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524065748/https://www.norderlesen.de/Leute/Joshua-Braun-wechselt-nach-Bremerhaven--1145.html|archivedate=May 24, 2020|language=German|quote=My grandfather was born in Worms. My grandmother comes from Yugoslavia, but is also of German descent. Both emigrated to Chicago because of the Second World War. My grandmother and my uncle both left Bremerhaven. I hope that I will find their names on the lists in the Emigration Museum.}}</ref> when just days before he was set to leave Arizona, an equipment failure in the gym saw weights land on his foot and break some toes. He was consequently unable to join the team for the 2018–19 season.<ref name=down-under>{{cite web|url=https://sbl.asn.au/2019/06/22/all-round-star-braun-loving-life-down-under/|title=ALL-ROUND STAR BRAUN LOVING LIFE DOWN UNDER|work=sbl.asn.au|date=June 22, 2019|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523145821/https://sbl.asn.au/2019/06/22/all-round-star-braun-loving-life-down-under/|archivedate=May 23, 2020}}</ref>
In February 2019, Braun joined the Kalamunda Eastern Suns of the State Basketball League (SBL) in Australia.<ref name="sign-australia" /> The Suns started the 2019 season with a 7–11 record<ref name="down-under" /> before winning their next six.<ref name=suns19>{{cite web|url=https://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?c=1-5011-83379-515220-26389652&a=SFIX|title=SEASON FIXTURE : KALAMUNDA EASTERN SUNS (SBL MEN 2019)|work=sbl.asn.au|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524052553/https://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?c=1-5011-83379-515220-26389652&a=SFIX|archivedate=May 24, 2020}}</ref> Braun scored 30 or more points ten times, including a season-high 37 points on June 22 in a 122–112 win over the East Perth Eagles.<ref name="suns19" /><ref name=sbl19>{{cite web|url=https://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=205979578&client=1-5011-83379-515220-26389652|title=Player statistics for Joshua Braun|work=sbl.asn.au|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524052949/https://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=205979578&client=1-5011-83379-515220-26389652|archivedate=May 24, 2020}}</ref> On July 19, he recorded 34 points and 13 rebounds in an 82–80 loss to the Lakeside Lightning.<ref name="suns19" /><ref name="sbl19" /> He went on to miss the last regular-season game and the finals due to an ankle injury.<ref name=round20>{{cite web|url=https://sbl.asn.au/2019/07/28/round-20-spotlight-wolfpack-give-suns-a-nervous-wait/|title=ROUND 20 SPOTLIGHT | WOLFPACK GIVE SUNS A NERVOUS WAIT|work=sbl.asn.au|date=July 28, 2019|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524053658/https://sbl.asn.au/2019/07/28/round-20-spotlight-wolfpack-give-suns-a-nervous-wait/|archivedate=May 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sbl.asn.au/2019/08/03/credit-to-utley-for-suns-return-to-finals-action/|title=CREDIT TO UTLEY FOR SUNS RETURN TO FINALS ACTION|work=sbl.asn.au|date=August 3, 2019|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524054605/https://sbl.asn.au/2019/08/03/credit-to-utley-for-suns-return-to-finals-action/|archivedate=May 24, 2020}}</ref><ref name=quarter-final>{{cite web|url=https://sbl.asn.au/2019/08/11/quarter-finals-game-2-spotlight-wolfpack-made-to-earn-it-by-suns/|title=QUARTER FINALS GAME 2 SPOTLIGHT | WOLFPACK MADE TO EARN IT BY SUNS|work=sbl.asn.au|date=August 11, 2019|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524054752/https://sbl.asn.au/2019/08/11/quarter-finals-game-2-spotlight-wolfpack-made-to-earn-it-by-suns/|archivedate=May 24, 2020}}</ref> With a 13–13 record,<ref name="round20" /> the Suns finished eighth and lost 2–0 in the quarterfinals to the Joondalup Wolves.<ref name="quarter-final" /> For the season, Braun played in the SBL All-Star Game for Team World<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fibalivestats.com/u/SBWA/1201821/bs.html|title=Australia vs World|work=FIBALiveStats.com|date=June 3, 2019|accessdate=May 24, 2020}}</ref> and was named SBL Player of the Week twice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sbl.asn.au/players-of-the-week/|title=Players of the Week|work=sbl.asn.au|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524055736/https://sbl.asn.au/players-of-the-week/|archivedate=May 24, 2020}}</ref> He led the league in 3-point percentage and free throw percentage and was named the SBL Most Valuable Player while earning All-SBL First Team honors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sbl.asn.au/2019/09/11/2019-sbl-awards/|title=2019 SBL AWARDS|work=sbl.asn.au|date=September 11, 2019|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911103414/https://sbl.asn.au/2019/09/11/2019-sbl-awards/|archivedate=September 11, 2019}}</ref> In 25 games, he averaged 26.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game.<ref name="sbl19" />
On August 16, 2019, Braun signed with Eisbären Bremerhaven of the German ProA for the 2019–20 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.2basketballbundesliga.de/eisbaeren-praesentieren-mit-joshua-braun-ihren-naechsten-neuzugang/|title=Eisbären präsentieren mit Joshua Braun ihren nächsten Neuzugang|work=2basketballbundesliga.de|date=August 16, 2019|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820095334/https://www.2basketballbundesliga.de/eisbaeren-praesentieren-mit-joshua-braun-ihren-naechsten-neuzugang/|archivedate=August 20, 2019|language=German}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rose|first=Dietmar|url=https://www.nord24.de/eisbaeren-bremerhaven/Eisbaeren-holen-gleich-zwei-Neuzugaenge-auf-einen-Schlag-29889.html|title=Eisbären holen gleich zwei Neuzugänge auf einen Schlag|work=nord24.de|date=August 16, 2019|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524070658/https://www.nord24.de/eisbaeren-bremerhaven/Eisbaeren-holen-gleich-zwei-Neuzugaenge-auf-einen-Schlag-29889.html|archivedate=May 24, 2020|language=German}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gculopes.com/news/2019/8/26/mens-basketball-lopes-find-pro-homes-in-germany.aspx|title=Lopes find pro homes in Germany|work=gculopes.com|date=August 26, 2019|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524061828/https://gculopes.com/news/2019/8/26/mens-basketball-lopes-find-pro-homes-in-germany.aspx|archivedate=May 24, 2020}}</ref> The coach who wanted him at Karlsruhe in 2018, Michael Mai, was now the coach at Bremerhaven.<ref name="Karlsruhe" /> On October 31, 2019, he scored a season-high 21 points against Science City Jena.<ref name="jdb" /> Due to the COVID-19 pandemic,<ref>{{cite web|last=Rose|first=Dietmar|url=https://www.nord24.de/eisbaeren-bremerhaven/Eisbaeren-Profi-Braun-wartet-Ende-der-Corona-Krise-in-Bremerhaven-ab-40128.html|title=Eisbären-Profi Braun wartet Ende der Corona-Krise in Bremerhaven ab|work=Nord24.de|date=April 9, 2020|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524071059/https://www.nord24.de/eisbaeren-bremerhaven/Eisbaeren-Profi-Braun-wartet-Ende-der-Corona-Krise-in-Bremerhaven-ab-40128.html|archivedate=May 24, 2020|language=German}}</ref> the season was cancelled in March 2020 with Bremerhaven in second place with a 20–7 record.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurobasket.com/Germany/basketball-League-ProA_2019-2020.asp|title=ProA 2019–20|work=eurobasket.com|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524062438/https://www.eurobasket.com/Germany/basketball-League-ProA_2019-2020.asp|archivedate=May 24, 2020}}</ref> In 24 games, Braun averaged 9.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.<ref name="jdb" />
In August 2020, Braun had his contract extended by Bremerhaven.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Dietmar |title=Joshua Braun kehrt zu den Eisbären zurück |url=https://www.nord24.de/eisbaeren-bremerhaven/Joshua-Braun-kehrt-zu-den-Eisbaeren-zurueck-47011.html |website=Nord24.de |accessdate=October 23, 2020 |language=German |date=August 26, 2020}}</ref> On October 24, 2020, he scored a season-high 23 points against Ehingen Urspring.<ref name=jdb2>{{cite web|url=https://www.2basketballbundesliga.de/teams/kader/spieler/4779/|title=Joshua David Braun|work=2basketballbundesliga.de|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908152424/https://www.2basketballbundesliga.de/teams/kader/spieler/4779/|archivedate=September 8, 2021|language=German}}</ref> In 17 games during the 2020–21 season, he averaged 8.3 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.<ref name="jdb2" />
In January 2024, Braun signed with the Geraldton Buccaneers of the NBL1 West for the 2024 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/geraldtonbuccaneers/videos/601899122084080/|title=AMERICAN STAR JOINS THE BUCCS IN 2024|work=facebook.com/geraldtonbuccaneers|date=January 9, 2024|access-date=January 9, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Fraser|url=https://www.geraldtonguardian.com.au/news/geraldton-guardian/geraldton-buccaneers-sign-former-sbl-mvp-josh-braun-for-2024-season-as-three-stars-leave-squad-c-13172456|title=Geraldton Buccaneers sign former SBL MVP Josh Braun for 2024 season as three stars leave squad|work=Geraldton Guardian|date=January 12, 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240115025243/https://www.geraldtonguardian.com.au/news/geraldton-guardian/geraldton-buccaneers-sign-former-sbl-mvp-josh-braun-for-2024-season-as-three-stars-leave-squad-c-13172456|archive-date=January 15, 2024|access-date=January 17, 2024}}</ref> On May 4, 2024, he had 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in a 96–87 win over the Warwick Senators.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pike|first=Chris|url=https://nbl1.com.au/article/recap-nbl1-west-or-round-6-saturday|title=Recap NBL1 West | Round 6 Saturday|work=NBL1.com.au|date=May 5, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611104305/https://nbl1.com.au/article/recap-nbl1-west-or-round-6-saturday|archive-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Fraser|url=https://www.geraldtonguardian.com.au/news/geraldton-guardian/geraldton-buccaneers-bring-home-double-wins-from-road-trip-against-warwick-and-kalamunda-c-14553180|title=Geraldton Buccaneers bring home double wins from road trip against Warwick and Kalamunda|work=Geraldton Guardian|date=May 6, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240506131838/https://www.geraldtonguardian.com.au/news/geraldton-guardian/geraldton-buccaneers-bring-home-double-wins-from-road-trip-against-warwick-and-kalamunda-c-14553180|archive-date=May 6, 2024|quote=Josh Braun was the breadwinner for the match, dropping 28 points with six threes, seven rebounds, and eight assists in his best outing since joining Geraldton.}}</ref> The following day, he suffered a hamstring injury against the Kalamunda Eastern Suns.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pike|first=Chris|url=https://nbl1.com.au/article/recap-nbl1-west-or-round-6-sunday|title=Recap NBL1 West | Round 6 Sunday|work=NBL1.com.au|date=May 5, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611104557/https://nbl1.com.au/article/recap-nbl1-west-or-round-6-sunday|archive-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref> He helped the Buccaneers reach the preliminary final, where he had 10 points in a 98–89 loss to the Willetton Tigers.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pike|first=Chris|url=https://nbl1.com.au/article/recap-nbl1-west-or-preliminary-finals-saturday|title=Recap NBL1 West {{pipe}} Preliminary Finals Saturday|work=NBL1.com.au|date=August 4, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804014621/https://nbl1.com.au/article/recap-nbl1-west-or-preliminary-finals-saturday|archive-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref> In 16 games, he averaged 12.19 points, 3.75 rebounds and 3.06 assists per game.<ref>{{cite web |title=Joshua Braun |url=https://nbl1.com.au/player-listing/joshua-braun |website=nbl1.com.au |access-date=11 November 2024}}</ref>
==Off the court== In July 2022, Braun was hired as head of club basketball operations by Grand Canyon University.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gcuclubsports.com/news/2022/7/26/gcu-club-basketball-hires-josh-braun-to-oversee-programs.aspx|title=GCU Club Basketball hires Josh Braun to oversee programs|work=gcuclubsports.com|date=July 26, 2022|access-date=November 24, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124030524/https://gcuclubsports.com/news/2022/7/26/gcu-club-basketball-hires-josh-braun-to-oversee-programs.aspx|archive-date=November 24, 2023}}</ref>
==Personal life== Braun is of German roots.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q_Em59RQys&t=28s|title=nord24 stellt Basketballer Joshua Braun vor|work=YouTube|publisher=nord24de|date=October 2, 2019|accessdate=May 24, 2020}}</ref> His grandfather was born in Worms while his grandmother comes from Yugoslavia, but is also of German descent. Both emigrated to Chicago because of World War II.<ref name="Karlsruhe" />
Braun is the son of David and Kathy. His father played soccer at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay while his mother played volleyball at Fort Lewis College.<ref name="gcu-bio" /> His brother Justin also played basketball at Boulder Creek High School.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sorenson|first=Eric|url=https://www.sports360az.com/2016/01/braun-brothers-share-unique-bond-on-off-court/|title=Braun Brothers Share Unique Bond On, Off Court|work=sports360az.com|date=January 21, 2016|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524074725/https://www.sports360az.com/2016/01/braun-brothers-share-unique-bond-on-off-court/|archivedate=May 24, 2020}}</ref>
In July 2018, Braun married former GCU volleyball player Leigh Stonerook.<ref name="sign-australia" />
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://gculopes.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/joshua-braun/4584 Grand Canyon Antelopes player bio] *[https://www.2basketballbundesliga.de/teams/kader/spieler/4779/ German ProA player profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Braun, Joshua}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:American expatriate basketball people in Australia Category:American expatriate basketball people in Germany Category:American men's basketball players Category:American people of German descent Category:Basketball players from Arizona Category:Eisbären Bremerhaven players Category:Grand Canyon Antelopes men's basketball players Category:Shooting guards Category:21st-century American sportsmen