Basketball in mourning, Brad Branson dies
The basketball world mourns the passing of Brad Branson: the former American basketball player, who also starred in Italy in the 1980s, died yesterday at the age of 67, US media confirmed. A 208-centimeter wing-center, Branson linked his name to Basket Brescia in a three-year period that has remained in the memory of fans, from 1983 to 1986. His arrival in the city came after an initial Italian experience in Rimini and after spending a few seasons between the NBA (Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers) and CBA.
The teammates of the era immediately remembered him fondly, including through social media. Steve Hayes, former NBA center of that era as well as his teammate at the Anchorage Northern Knights, a CBA franchise, remembered him fondly. “Brad was my teammate in the 1981-82 season, and we were both All-Stars – he wrote du Facebook -. Brad was also named MVP of that game. He was a great friend and loyal teammate, we will all miss him”.
Branson, in addition to the parquet floors of the United States and Italy, played several other seasons in Spain, playing from 1986 to 1988 at Real Madrid and from 1988 to 1994 at Valencia, extending his professional career and also acquiring Spanish citizenship. At the college level, however, the Fort Myers, Florida, native basketball player had played at Edison State between 1976 and 1978 and at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, wearing a Mustangs jersey, the next two years, before being selected in the second round of the 1980 NBA Draft by Detroit.
Branson left an important imprint on Basket Brescia, the historic club active in the Lombard city from the late 1950s to 1996, so much so that he endured in the club record books as a Top 5 scorer. He had become an idol for local fans not only for his offensive qualities but also for his presence under the basket.
In the United States, however, Branson starred in the CBA, where he was awarded Newcomer of the Year and best stopper in 1982. In Europe, on the other hand, he also left his mark with Real Madrid, winning the Korac Cup in 1987-88, confirming himself as a player capable of making his mark in the international arena as well.
They were also the best players in the world.
