Atlanta Hawks: 6 prospects to keep an eye on during the Final Four

Christian Braun has a game similar to a current Hawks wing

Give a cursory glance at the final collegiate season of Christian Braun and you might come away feeling like you just read off starting Hawks swingman, Kevin Huerter’s numbers. Braun averaged 14.3 points in his final season and Huerter averaged 14.8 points. The latter was more efficient, shooting 50.3 percent overall (41.7% 3P) to Braun’s 49.7% overall (39.2% 3P).

However, Braun, who is listed at 10-15 pounds heavier than Huerter, averaged (slightly) more blocks and steals.

Braun is also a junior whereas Huerter came out of Maryland after his sophomore season. The added experience has allowed him to earn a reputation as a technically sound defender despite not being an elite athlete himself and, at times, struggling to stay in front of quicker guards.

Then, of course, there is this.

He bounced this year back from a down shooting season as a sophomore but was still off of his career-best 44.4 percent mark set when he was named to the Big-12 All-Freshman team. Like Huerter, Braun is not known as an ‘elite’ shooter but he is confident in his shot that has been described as a bit on the slower side.

The Overland Park, Kansas native doesn’t possess a superior wingspan, compounding his disadvantage against quicker players. He has been described as always being locked in, though, another trait the Hawks have sorely lacked too often this season.

Braun averaged 11.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 steals in the Big-12 Tournament.

He wasn’t efficient at all, shooting 42.3 percent from the floor and 28.6 percent from beyond the arc. In the NCAA Tourney, however, he has averaged the same amount of points on 44.4 percent shooting overall and 54.5 percent from deep.