With 120 kids sitting on the gym floor at Radiant Church in Overland Park, Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun made a quick statement before dismissing the attendees at “Champ Camp” for a brief snack break.
“Thank you for being here,” he said, towering over the youth congregated in front of him. “Thank you for coming out.”
Every kid had their eyes glued on Braun, though not two minutes earlier, they were playing knockout across six basketball goals, rotating every time coach Ed Fritz blew his whistle. Two minutes later, they’d be buzzing around the gym once again while Braun took turns visiting each group.
He didn’t do it alone, however. With him were some old teammates from Blue Valley Northwest High School and, of course, his brother Parker — the Kansas Jayhawk who’s college eligibility had just run out.
And the former kid who remembers being at basketball camps like the one he was now helping at.
“We were the kids coming to this camp growing up,” Parker explained of him and Christian. “We brought our own ball and (would) hang out with the older kids and the coaches coming around. … (Now) we’re kind of seeing ourselves like back in the day. It’s been awesome doing it.”
The young players attending “Champ Camp” hung out with Parker just as much as any of the older kids, Christian included.
For the older Braun, being there with his younger brother was just as meaningful to him as the camp was.
“He kind of leads the way with the platform he has,” Parker said. “He uses it well, just to get back and kind of grow the youth (in the way) we thought we were treated. It (means a lot) to give it back.”
As far as the pair’s relationship? Fritz gave context to that.
“Parker and Christian are so close,” the duo’s high-school coach said, explaining why the pair decided to host the three-day skills camp together. “They’re all about family.”
That they were. Parker went to his brother when he decided to transfer to Kansas for his final year of college. He was hoping to gain some perspective on “what it was like to be a Jayhawk,” and by the time he and the rest of coach Bill Self’s squad were preparing for an NCAA Tournament run, he’d proven himself — just like his brother.
“Parker is doing great,” Self said of the forward back in March. “He is an unbelievable passer. He is really athletic. He is our best ball screen defender of the bigs … He has played his role great. In the playoffs (NCAAs), you need a guy like Parker to give you good minutes.”
The Jayhawks had an unexpectedly swift exit from the Big Dance in Round 2, so Parker’s season was cut short shy of a deep run at national championship, despite the contributions he made.
Now, he’s faced with what comes next.
What that is, he doesn’t know.
“If we see something that we like, (or) something comes to us that … we think will be a good opportunity, then we’ll take it,” he said. “And if not, then I think we’re in a good spot. (I’m) trying to stay in shape, and just kind of take what’s thrown at us one at a time.”
According to Fritz, Parker is hoping to make a run with the Nuggets’ summer-league team. Christian wouldn’t be joining him, but it’d certainly open an avenue for the two to talk NBA basketball as an option for Parker’s future. He remains careful about jumping too far ahead, however.
“We don’t even know if that’s even a possibility,” Parker said of being in the NBA. “Once that day comes, (Christian) would for sure be a good resource.”
Fritz, on the other hand, is more confident. And from the outside perspective he has, perhaps rightfully so.
“Parker is just coming into his own,” Fritz said. “But he’s going to have a great pro career, also. … He’s a different player than Christian is, but he can be very effective, and I think he’ll get better and better.
“Once he finds his groove, he’s going to be successful. … I can’t wait to watch.”
The coach did. He watched as Christian, Parker and a few other of their former teammates interacted with over 100 kids in an open gym. He watched as the kids put up shots — some wearing Braun jerseys — and enjoyed learning about the sport for which their camp hosts are known.
Christian and Parker did it together. One has it made in the NBA, and other may be trying to get there some day. But throughout those three days at Radiant Church, their differences didn’t matter.
They got to serve their hometown community. And that was the most important thing.
“Any one of these kids can do whatever they want to in the sport,” Parker said. “At the end of the day, we’re just taking each kid and treating them like they’re the next Christian Braun.
“As long as they’re having fun, playing the game and getting better, I think we know we’re doing our job.”
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