Hubbry Logo
Brandon BassBrandon BassMain
Open search
Brandon Bass
Community hub
Brandon Bass
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Brandon Bass
Brandon Bass
from Wikipedia

Brandon Sam Bass (born April 30, 1985) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the LSU Tigers and was selected in the 2005 NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets. Bass played 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers. He finished his career in 2020 after three seasons with the Liaoning Flying Leopards in China.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Bass was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the oldest of three siblings; he has a brother, Chris, and sister, Dashia. Bass is the son of Charles Joseph and Aretha Bass. Bass was raised by his mother until her death. When he was 10 years old, he witnessed his mother die from a heart attack. Bass and his siblings subsequently moved in with their father but due to not feeling comfortable at their father's home, Bass and his siblings moved in with their aunt, Estelle.[1] While at his aunt's house, Bass was living with his siblings and five of his aunt's children. It wasn't until he was 13 years old that Bass began playing basketball competitively.[2]

High school career

[edit]

Bass attended Capitol High School in Baton Rouge where he began gaining recognition for his play. By his senior year in 2002–03, he was ranked the seventh best power forward in the nation, the 11th best overall player in the nation, and the third best player in the Southeast by Rivals.com.

While in high school, Bass had a GPA of 2.7 with an ACT score of 17. He graduated as a part of the class of 2003. He received interest from Connecticut, LSU, Mississippi St., Cincinnati, Kentucky, Miami (FL), and USC to join their basketball programs. Of those schools, Bass received offers from Connecticut, LSU, Mississippi St, and USC, ultimately deciding on attending LSU.

Bass also received many honors while in high school, being named a part of the Parade All-American team, EA Sports Roundball Classic Roster, and the McDonald's All-America Game.[3] Bass finished the McDonald's All-America Game with 14 points and 3 assists.[4] While on the McDonald's All-American Team, Bass played alongside the likes of future NBA superstars such as LeBron James and Chris Paul.

College career

[edit]

Bass joined the LSU Tigers basketball team in 2003 and played for them until 2005. In his first year at LSU, Bass played 29 games, starting in all of them. As a freshman, Bass averaged 12.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, in 34.9 minutes per game. In his second season, Bass played and started in 30 games, averaging 17.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 33.6 minutes per game.

Bass received numerous honors while playing at LSU. In 2004, he was named a part of the SEC All-Freshman Team and was also named the SEC Freshman of the Year. In 2005, Bass was named a part of the SEC All-Tournament Team, First Team All-SEC (Coaches), SEC Player of the Year (Associated Press), and the SEC Player of the Year (Coaches).

Bass' career-high in points in college was 30 points in a game against Louisiana-Lafayette on November 21, 2004. He achieved his college career-high in rebounds with 17 against Mississippi State on February 16, 2005. He achieved his career-high in blocks with six on two separate occasions with his last one being in Houston on December 21, 2004. His career-high in minutes was 45, which came against Ohio State on January 15, 2005.[5]

Bass left LSU after his sophomore year, choosing instead to declare for the 2005 NBA draft. He ended his college career with career averages of 15.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and 34.3 minutes per game. He started and played in a total of 59 games.[4]

Professional career

[edit]

New Orleans Hornets (2005–2007)

[edit]

Bass was drafted in the 2005 NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets, being taken with the 33rd overall pick. On August 24, 2005, Bass signed a multi-year contract with the Hornets.

In his first season in the league, the Hornets twice assigned Bass to their NBA Development League affiliate, Tulsa 66ers. He ended up only playing one game in the D-League, scoring 16 points, along with 5 rebounds and 2 blocks.[6]

In his time with the New Orleans Hornets, Bass averaged 2.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.2 blocks, and 8.6 minutes per game. He played a total of 50 games, having started in 4 of them.[7]

Dallas Mavericks (2007–2009)

[edit]

On July 26, 2007, Bass signed a two-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks.[8] On March 1, 2009, Bass made a turnaround jumper to give Jason Kidd his 10,000th career assist.[9] In two seasons for Mavericks, he averaged 8.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in 160 games.

Orlando Magic (2009–2011)

[edit]

On July 10, 2009, Bass signed a four-year deal with the Orlando Magic.[10] In two seasons for the Magic, he averaged 9.1 points and 4.4 rebounds in 126 games.

Boston Celtics (2011–2015)

[edit]
Bass with Boston in 2012

On December 12, 2011, Bass was traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Glen Davis and Von Wafer.[11] In his first regular season game for the Celtics on December 25, 2011, he recorded 20 points and 11 rebounds in a 104–106 loss to the New York Knicks.[12] On May 21, 2012, Bass tallied a playoff career-high 27 points to help the Celtics gain a 3–2 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers.[13] The Celtics won that series, but were eliminated in the next round by the Miami Heat. In the 2011–12 season, Bass established his career-high points average to 12.5 and his rebounds to 6.2 that increased the Celtics' offense and defense.

On July 14, 2012, Bass re-signed with the Celtics.[14]

In January 2015, Bass re-gained his starting spot and finished the season averaging 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.[15]

Los Angeles Lakers (2015–2016)

[edit]

On July 9, 2015, Bass signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.[16] He made his debut for the Lakers in the team's season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 28, recording 2 points and 6 rebounds in a 112–111 loss.[17] On January 20, 2016, he scored a season-high 18 points in a loss to the Sacramento Kings.[18]

Los Angeles Clippers (2016–2017)

[edit]

On July 19, 2016, Bass signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.[19] For the season he appeared in 52 games, averaging 5.6 points in 11.1 minutes per game.[20]

Liaoning Flying Leopards (2017–2020)

[edit]

In August 2017, Bass signed with the Liaoning Flying Leopards.[21] Due to restrictions on international travel, Bass along with teammate Lance Stephenson were unable to return to China in June 2020 to finish the 2019–20 season with the team.[22]

National team career

[edit]

In February 2021, Bass was selected to the 14-player roster for the final round of the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup qualification.[23] On 19 February he scored 12 points in a 93–77 victory over Bahamas.[24]

Personal life

[edit]

Bass' younger brother, Chris, played college basketball for Louisiana State as well.[25] An avid hip-hop fan, Bass has been writing rap songs since he was 11 and recording them since he was 16. The main topic he chooses to address in his music is his upbringing and overall life.[26] Bass is married to Melissa Prejean. The couple has one son, Brandon Jr., and one daughter, Bella.[1]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2003–04 LSU 29 29 35.0 .504 .263 .783 7.4 .6 .7 1.9 12.8
2004–05 LSU 30 29 33.6 .567 .462 .777 9.1 .8 .8 1.6 17.3
Career 59 58 34.3 .540 .378 .780 8.2 .7 .8 1.8 15.1

NBA

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2005–06 New Orleans 29 1 9.2 .400 .000 .632 2.3 .1 .1 .2 2.3
2006–07 New Orleans 21 3 7.7 .341 .000 .750 2.0 .1 .1 .1 2.0
2007–08 Dallas 79 1 19.7 .499 .000 .822 4.4 .7 .3 .6 8.3
2008–09 Dallas 81 0 19.4 .496 .000 .867 4.5 .5 .3 .7 8.5
2009–10 Orlando 50 3 13.0 .511 .000 .825 2.5 .4 .2 .5 5.8
2010–11 Orlando 76 51 26.1 .515 .000 .815 5.6 .8 .4 .7 11.2
2011–12 Boston 59 39 31.7 .479 .000 .810 6.2 .9 .6 .9 12.5
2012–13 Boston 81 69 27.6 .486 .000 .860 5.2 1.0 .5 .8 8.7
2013–14 Boston 82 73 27.6 .486 .333 .858 5.7 1.1 .4 .9 11.1
2014–15 Boston 82 43 23.5 .504 .281 .790 4.9 1.3 .5 .4 10.6
2015–16 L.A Lakers 66 0 20.3 .549 .000 .845 4.3 1.1 .5 .8 7.2
2016–17 L.A Clippers 52 0 11.1 .575 .333 .875 2.5 .4 .3 .2 5.6
Career 758 283 21.7 .499 .207 .832 4.5 .8 .4 .6 8.7

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2008 Dallas 5 0 26.6 .472 .000 .960 6.8 .4 .6 .6 11.6
2009 Dallas 10 0 19.2 .550 .000 .903 4.1 .7 .7 .4 9.4
2010 Orlando 7 0 6.0 .538 .000 .833 1.1 .1 .0 .0 2.7
2011 Orlando 6 6 23.2 .421 .000 .923 4.2 .3 .5 .8 7.3
2012 Boston 20 20 30.4 .463 .000 .922 5.3 .8 .7 .5 11.1
2013 Boston 6 5 34.0 .483 .000 .800 6.7 1.2 .3 .2 6.7
2015 Boston 4 4 21.5 .350 .000 .600 2.0 2.5 .3 .8 5.0
2017 L.A. Clippers 1 0 3.8 .333 .000 .000 1.0 .0 1.0 .0 2.0
Career 59 35 23.9 .471 .000 .890 4.4 .7 .5 .4 8.4

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Brandon Bass (born April 30, 1985) is an American former professional basketball player who played twelve seasons in the (NBA) as a and . Born in , Bass attended Capitol High School, where he was a standout athlete in basketball. He then played for the LSU Tigers from 2003 to 2005, earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors in 2004 after averaging 12.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. In his sophomore year, Bass was named SEC Player of the Year, leading the conference in scoring (17.3 points per game) and rebounding (9.1 per game) while helping LSU win the SEC Western Division title and advance to the NCAA Tournament; he received AP Honorable Mention recognition that season. Selected by the New Orleans Hornets in the second round (33rd overall) of the , Bass began his professional career with the team, playing there through the 2006-07 season before moving to the for two years (2007-09). He continued his career with the (2009-11), where he contributed to playoff runs, and then joined the (2011-15), becoming a key role player known for his efficient mid-range scoring and rebounding. Bass later played for the (2015-16) and ended his NBA tenure with the in the 2016-17 season. After his NBA career, Bass played three seasons in the with the (2017–2020) and represented the in 2021 Qualifying. Over 758 regular-season games, Bass averaged 8.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game while shooting 49.9% from the field; he appeared in 59 playoff games, averaging 8.5 points and 4.6 rebounds.

Early years

Early life

Brandon Bass was born on April 30, 1985, in . He is the son of Charles Joseph and Aretha Bass, and the oldest of three siblings, including younger brother Chris and sister Dashia. His father was largely absent from his life during childhood, leaving Bass to grow up primarily under his mother's care. Bass spent his early years in the rural community of Erwinville, just outside Baton Rouge, living with his mother and siblings in a home isolated from immediate neighbors. Following his mother's death from a heart attack on January 6, 1995, at age 32, when Bass was nine, he lived with his father for two years before moving to Baton Rouge to live with his aunt until entering high school. His younger brother Chris later pursued basketball, playing for the LSU Tigers. Bass's initial exposure to basketball came through his mother's influence as a Chicago Bulls fan, who first purchased an indoor hoop for the family home before installing an outdoor goal on a telephone pole in their yard, where he and his siblings played on a makeshift dirt court. This early play in the yard fostered his interest in the sport amid a childhood marked by limited structured athletic opportunities in the rural setting. Prior to high school, Bass's athletic development centered on casual basketball activities within his family and local environment, shaping his foundational skills.

High school career

Brandon Bass attended Capitol High School in , where he played under coach Alvin Stewart and helped the team secure two district championships. As a senior in the 2002–03 season, Bass averaged 19 points and 14 rebounds per game, earning recognition as one of the top prospects in the nation. His performance that year included selections to prestigious all-star events, where he recorded 14 points and 3 rebounds in the and 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists in the . Bass received numerous accolades for his high school play, including second-team Parade All-American honors, first-team All-State in Class 4A for two consecutive years by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, All-Metro recognition from The Advocate, and Louisiana Gatorade Circle of Champions Player of the Year in 2003. These achievements highlighted his dominance as a 6-foot-8 forward and positioned him as a five-star recruit ranked No. 12 nationally in the class of 2003. During his recruitment, Bass drew interest from several major programs and ultimately narrowed his choices to LSU, , , USC, Mississippi State, and UConn before committing to LSU in April 2003. His decision to join the Tigers capped a standout high school career that showcased his scoring, rebounding, and defensive potential.

College career

2003–04 season

As a highly recruited forward from , Brandon Bass enrolled at for the 2003–04 season, joining the Tigers under head coach John Brady. Bass quickly adapted to , starting all 29 games as a and emerging as a reliable frontcourt presence despite the challenges of transitioning from high school. He averaged 12.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while logging 34.9 minutes on the floor, leading all freshmen in both scoring and rebounding. His efficiency stood out with a 50.4% and 78.3% from the free-throw line, contributing to 56 total blocks that ranked second in the SEC. The LSU Tigers compiled an 18–11 overall record and went 8–8 in SEC play, finishing second in the conference's Western Division and earning a bid to the , where they fell in the first round to . Bass's consistent production helped anchor the team's interior defense and rebounding, as he notched seven double-doubles and scored in double figures in 22 games. Standout performances highlighted his development, including a season-high 22 points and nine rebounds against UAB on December 27 and another 20 points in his SEC debut at on January 7. In the SEC Tournament held in , Bass provided key contributions during the Tigers' first-round victory over , helping secure a 69–58 win before a 71–61 quarterfinal loss to . His efforts earned him SEC Freshman of the Year honors, along with spots on the All-SEC Freshman Team and the Collegeinsider.com All-Freshman Team.

2004–05 season

In his sophomore season at Louisiana State University (LSU) in 2004–05, Brandon Bass emerged as a starting forward for the Tigers, starting in 29 of the 30 games he played and averaging 33.6 minutes per contest. He posted career-high averages of 17.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, while shooting an efficient 56.7% from the field, leading the team in both scoring and rebounding categories. These improvements marked a significant breakout from his freshman year, where he had earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors, as Bass became a dominant interior presence and occasional perimeter threat, connecting on 46.2% of his three-point attempts. Ranking third in the SEC in scoring in conference play while leading the team in both scoring (17.3 points per game overall) and rebounding (9.1 per game overall), Bass's performance earned him multiple accolades, including SEC Player of the Year as selected by both the coaches and Associated Press, as well as a unanimous selection to the First Team All-SEC. He was also named to the All-SEC Tournament Team after contributing key efforts in LSU's run to the conference semifinals. His scoring prowess placed him third in the SEC at 17.5 points per game in conference play, second in rebounding at 8.8 per game, and first in field goal percentage at 56.9%. In the NCAA Tournament, LSU earned a No. 5 seed but fell in the first round to No. 12 UAB, 82–68, with Bass delivering a standout performance of 25 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field and 9-of-12 from the free-throw line, along with 5 rebounds. Despite the early exit, his contributions helped the Tigers secure a 20–10 overall record and a share of the SEC West title. Following the season, Bass declared for the 2005 NBA draft as an early entry candidate on May 12, 2005, forgoing his remaining college eligibility after two seasons at LSU.

Professional career

New Orleans Hornets (2005–2007)

Bass was selected by the New Orleans Hornets with the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 2005 NBA draft out of Louisiana State University. On August 24, 2005, he signed a multi-year rookie-scale contract with the team, marking the beginning of his professional career. As a 20-year-old forward, Bass joined a Hornets roster featuring established big men such as P.J. Brown and David West, which limited his immediate opportunities for significant playing time. In his 2005–06 season, Bass appeared in 29 games, primarily coming off the bench in a reserve role. He averaged 2.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game while playing 9.2 minutes per contest, showing glimpses of his athleticism and scoring ability around the rim but struggling to secure a consistent spot amid the team's depth at . The Hornets, temporarily relocated to due to , finished the season with a 38–44 record, missing the , and Bass's limited minutes reflected his adjustment to NBA physicality and competition. Bass's role diminished further in the 2006–07 season, where he suited up for just 21 games, averaging 2.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.7 minutes per game. Injuries and team depth contributed to his reduced involvement, as the Hornets prioritized development around star and improved to a 49–33 record, advancing to the for the first time since 2004. Despite the team's success, Bass's output remained modest, highlighting the challenges of breaking into as a second-round pick. After the season concluded, Bass became an unrestricted on July 1, 2007, as his rookie expired without further extension. He signed a two-year deal with the on July 26, 2007, ending his two-year stint with the Hornets where he appeared in a total of 50 games.

Dallas Mavericks (2007–2009)

Following his time with the New Orleans Hornets, Bass signed a two-year with the worth $1.6 million as a on July 26, 2007. In the 2007–08 season, Bass emerged as a consistent rotation player for the Mavericks, appearing in 79 games with averages of 8.3 points and 4.4 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per game. His physical presence and scoring efficiency helped bolster the frontcourt depth behind starters and . Bass built on that role during the 2008–09 season, playing in all 81 regular-season games and posting averages of 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per game. One notable moment came on March 1, 2009, when he hit a turnaround jumper assisted by for Kidd's 10,000th career assist in a 109-107 win over the . Over his two seasons in Dallas, Bass gained key playoff experience, appearing in five games during the 2008 first-round loss to the Hornets with averages of 11.6 points and 6.8 rebounds, and in five games during the 2009 first-round loss to the Spurs with averages of 9.4 points and 4.1 rebounds. His energetic play off the bench provided rebounding and interior scoring in limited minutes during those postseason runs.

Orlando Magic (2009–2011)

On July 10, 2009, Bass signed a four-year, $18 million contract with the as a after spending two seasons with the . During the 2009–10 regular season, Bass appeared in 50 games off the bench, averaging 5.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per game while shooting 51.1% from the field. In the playoffs, he contributed in a limited reserve role as the Magic advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, playing seven games for 2.7 points and 1.3 rebounds in 6.0 minutes per contest. In the 2010–11 season, Bass expanded his role amid frontcourt injuries, starting 51 of 76 games and posting career highs of 11.2 points and 5.6 rebounds in 26.1 minutes per game. He shot 51.5% from the field and helped provide depth in the paint during Orlando's push to the first round of the , where he started all six games and averaged 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds.

Boston Celtics (2011–2015)

On December 12, 2011, Brandon Bass was traded to the from the in exchange for forward Glen Davis and guard , bolstering the team's frontcourt depth ahead of the lockout-shortened season. Bass quickly integrated into the veteran core alongside , , and , providing reliable scoring and rebounding as an undersized . In his debut on December 25, 2011, against the , he tallied 20 points and 11 rebounds despite a narrow loss. During the 2011–12 regular season, Bass appeared in 59 of the Celtics' 66 games, starting 39, while averaging 12.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 31.7 minutes per game. His efficiency from the field (47.9 percent) and ability to stretch the floor with mid-range jumpers complemented Boston's defensive-oriented system, contributing to a 39–27 record and the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. In the , Bass started all 20 games, averaging 11.1 points and 5.3 rebounds, including a playoff-career-high 27 points in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the , helping propel the team to the Eastern Conference Finals before a loss to the . His tenacity on the glass and switchability on defense earned praise as a key anchor in Boston's gritty postseason push. Following the season, Bass declined his $4.25 million player option and re-signed with the Celtics on July 11, 2012, to a three-year, $19.35 million contract, securing his role as a starter in the post-Garnett era. Over the subsequent seasons (2012–13 to 2014–15), he maintained consistent production across 245 games, starting 185, with scoring averages ranging from 8.7 to 11.1 points per game and rebounding between 4.9 and 5.7 per contest. Bass evolved into a vocal defensive leader, organizing rotations and excelling in pick-and-roll defense, which allowed the Celtics to maintain competitiveness despite roster turnover. In 2012–13, he started 69 games and helped Boston to a first-round playoff berth, averaging 8.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in six games against the New York Knicks. The 2013–14 campaign saw his scoring peak at 11.1 points per game in 82 appearances, though the team missed the playoffs. Bass contributed again in 2014–15, starting 43 games with 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds, including four playoff outings before a first-round exit to the Cleveland Cavaliers. His steady presence amid rebuilding efforts solidified his status as a defensive stalwart during Boston's transitional playoff pushes. After the 2014–15 season, Bass entered free agency and signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers on July 9, 2015.

Los Angeles Lakers (2015–2016)

On July 9, 2015, Bass signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the as an unrestricted after spending the previous four seasons with the . The deal included a player option for the 2016–17 season and positioned the 30-year-old veteran as a key reserve on a rebuilding roster featuring young talents like and . In the 2015–16 season, Bass appeared in 66 games for the Lakers, all off the bench, averaging 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 20.3 minutes per game while shooting 54.9% from the field. He provided consistent energy in the frontcourt for a team that struggled to a league-worst 17–65 record, often serving as a reliable scorer in the and a defensive anchor against opposing big men. Bass made limited starting appearances—none in the regular season—but embraced a mentorship role, offering guidance to younger players on professional habits and game preparation, particularly to Julius during his sophomore year. Despite minor ailments including a contusion in October 2015 and a in March 2016 that caused him to miss a single game, Bass remained a steady contributor through the end of the campaign. Following the season, he declined his $3.135 million player option for 2016–17 on June 16, entering unrestricted free agency to pursue other opportunities.

Los Angeles Clippers (2016–2017)

On July 19, 2016, Bass signed a one-year veteran's minimum contract with the worth $1,551,659, reuniting him with head coach from their time together in . This move came after Bass declined his $3.14 million player option with the Lakers, seeking a more competitive environment following a season limited by injuries such as a patella contusion and ankle . During the 2016–17 regular season, Bass served as a reliable reserve power forward, appearing in 52 games without starting any, while averaging 5.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 11.1 minutes per game. His efficient scoring, particularly in the paint with a 57.5% , provided depth to the Clippers' frontcourt amid their push for a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference. The team finished fourth in the West with a 51–31 record, crediting Bass's veteran presence for contributing to their balanced rotation despite limited minutes. In the playoffs, the Clippers faced the in the first round, extending the series to a decisive Game 7. Bass made a brief appearance in Game 5, playing 3 minutes and recording 2 points and 1 rebound in a 96–92 loss that shifted momentum. The Clippers ultimately fell 4–3, ending their postseason run. The 2016–17 season marked the conclusion of Bass's 12-year NBA career, as he did not sign another league contract following the Clippers' elimination and instead transitioned to playing overseas.

Liaoning Flying Leopards (2017–2020)

After concluding his NBA career with the , Brandon Bass signed a one-year contract with the of the in August 2017. In the 2017–18 season, Bass emerged as a key contributor for , averaging 22.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per game across 38 appearances while shooting 57.4% from the field. His efficient scoring and rebounding inside helped anchor the team's frontcourt during their run to the CBA Finals, where defeated the 4–0 to claim the league championship—the franchise's first title. Bass's performance earned praise for bolstering the team's championship effort alongside domestic stars like Han Dejun. Bass re-signed with Liaoning for the following seasons, maintaining his high-level production. During the 2018–19 campaign, he averaged 22.8 points and 9.7 rebounds in 45 games, guiding the team to the playoffs but falling in the semifinals to the eventual champions, the . In 2019–20, amid a season shortened by the , Bass posted 21.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game over 30 outings, leading Liaoning back to the , where they lost 2–1 to . Following the 2019–20 , Bass retired from professional at age 35, ending a 15-year career that spanned the NBA and international leagues.

International and national team career

CBA career

After concluding his NBA career, Brandon Bass transitioned to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) in 2017, signing as a foreign import player with the Liaoning Flying Leopards. He played three seasons with the team (2017–2020), helping them win the 2017–18 CBA championship. The CBA, established in 1995 as China's premier professional men's basketball league, consisted of 20 teams in the 2017–18 season, divided into northern and southern divisions for All-Star purposes, with a regular season format where each team played 38 games, followed by playoffs culminating in a best-of-seven finals. Foreign import players like Bass were governed by rules allowing teams up to two non-Asian foreigners (three for bottom-ranked teams from the prior season), with only one import permitted on the court at a time. Bass, a 6-foot-8 power forward with 12 years of NBA experience, adapted quickly to these constraints, leveraging his veteran skills to excel as a high-impact import despite the league's emphasis on balanced domestic-foreign rosters. Bass's presence contributed to the CBA's growing competitiveness by exemplifying how seasoned NBA talent could elevate play quality and international appeal, helping attract global attention to the league's rising standard. His role extended to boosting Liaoning's international profile, as the former NBA champion's signing underscored the team's ambition to compete at a high level on the world stage. Compared to the NBA, the CBA presented notable cultural and professional differences for Bass, including more physical defense—often involving double- and triple-teaming of imports—and extensive travel across China's vast geography, with teams spanning 12 provinces and three municipalities, leading to grueling road trips by plane and bus. Fan engagement was intensely passionate, with supporters frequently seeking post-game interactions like selfies and autographs, fostering a closer player-audience connection than in the NBA's more insulated environment. Bass described the move as an unanticipated but rewarding shift, noting the CBA's demanding schedule and overseas lifestyle required quick adjustment but ultimately provided a fulfilling extension to his career.

USA national team

In February 2021, following his retirement from professional play in the , Brandon Bass was selected as a to the Men's AmeriCup Qualifying Team roster for the final window of the qualifiers. This addition brought significant NBA experience to the team, joining fellow veterans such as Isaiah Thomas and Joe Johnson on a roster aimed at securing qualification. Bass appeared in both qualifying games held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Against the Bahamas on February 19, 2021, he recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds in a 93-77 victory, helping the USA maintain its undefeated record in the preliminaries. In the subsequent game versus Mexico on February 20, Bass added 12 points on efficient 6-of-7 shooting, along with five rebounds, in a 96-75 win that concluded the USA's 6-0 qualifying campaign. These appearances marked Bass's only involvement with the senior national team, serving as a post-NBA return to international duty without any further selections afterward. His role underscored the value of seasoned players in bolstering the team's depth for competitions.

Personal life

Family

Brandon Bass married Melissa Prejean on August 31, 2013, in . The couple has two children: a son, Brandon Bass Jr., born circa 2007, and a daughter, Bella, born in 2011. Brandon Bass Jr. has emerged as a highly regarded high school prospect, earning four-star status and committing to for the class of 2026 on September 4, 2025, before signing his on November 12, 2025. Bass's younger brother, Chris Bass, played college basketball for the Tigers from 2008 to 2012, appearing in 123 games during his career. Throughout Bass's NBA career, his family offered consistent emotional support, with his wife and children often joining him for team events and outings that strengthened their bond amid frequent travels. Following his retirement from professional , Bass has prioritized time with his family.

Post-retirement activities

After retiring from professional in 2020, Brandon Bass has focused on media and entrepreneurial pursuits, including hosting the "Talk N Taste" , which explores intersections of , , and . In a July 2025 , Bass discussed his transition to post-NBA life, highlighting off-court interests such as creating a personal and that chronicle his career and beyond. Bass has remained actively involved in supporting his son, Brandon Bass Jr., a four-star basketball recruit who committed to on September 4, 2025, and signed on November 12, 2025, choosing to stay close to home in . This commitment, announced amid recruitment interest from programs like Purdue and UCF, underscores Bass's role in guiding his son's athletic development. Residing in following his retirement, Bass continues to contribute to development through the Brandon Bass Reachback Foundation, an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of underprivileged via educational and community programs. In discussions, including a 2024 episode on , Bass emphasizes the value of building relationships and providing guidance to younger athletes, drawing from his own experiences.

Career statistics

College

Brandon Bass played for the Tigers for two seasons, from 2003 to 2005.

Per-Game Averages

SeasonSchoolConfGMPFGFGAFG%3P3PA3P%FTFTAFT%ORBDRBTRBASTSTLBLKTOVPFPTS
2003-04LSUSEC2934.94.28.3.5040.20.7.2634.25.4.7832.44.97.40.60.71.91.92.012.8
2004-05LSUSEC3033.66.010.6.5670.40.9.4624.96.3.7772.76.39.10.80.81.61.82.417.3
In his season (2003–04), Bass appeared in 29 games, averaging 34.9 minutes per game, while as a (2004–05), he played in 30 games with 33.6 minutes per game. His improved from 50.4% to 56.7%, and three-point shooting rose from 26.3% to 46.2%, though on limited attempts. percentage remained consistent at 78.3% and 77.7%.

Season Totals

SeasonSchoolConfGMPFGFGA3P3PAFTFTAORBDRBTRBASTSTLBLKTOVPFPTS
2003-04LSUSEC291013121240519123157711432141721565559370
2004-05LSUSEC3010071813191226146188821902722523485473520
Bass's scoring total increased from 370 points as a to 520 points as a sophomore, reflecting his progression in offensive output. Rebounding totals also advanced from 214 to 272, with defensive rebounds jumping from 143 to 190. He recorded 56 blocks in his first year, dropping slightly to 48 in the second, while assists rose from 17 to 25.

NBA regular season

Brandon Bass appeared in 758 regular-season games across 12 NBA seasons from 2005–06 to 2016–17, accumulating 6,575 points and 3,448 rebounds while averaging 8.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. His career stood at .503, and he averaged 0.7 blocks per game, contributing as a reliable known for efficient scoring in the paint. The following table details his regular-season per-game statistics by season and team, including games played (G), games started (GS), minutes per game (MP), field goal percentage (FG%), points per game (PTS), total rebounds per game (TRB), and blocks per game (BLK).
SeasonTeamGGSMPFG%PTSTRBBLK
2005–06NOH2919.2.4002.32.30.2
2006–07NOH2137.7.3412.02.00.1
2007–08DAL79119.7.4998.34.40.6
2008–09DAL81019.4.4968.54.50.7
2009–10ORL50313.0.5115.82.50.5
2010–11ORL765126.1.51511.25.60.7
2011–12BOS593931.7.47912.56.20.9
2012–13BOS816927.6.4868.75.20.8
2013–14BOS827327.6.48611.15.70.9
2014–15BOS824323.5.50410.64.90.4
2015–16LAL66020.3.5497.24.30.8
2016–17LAC52011.1.5755.62.50.2
Bass reached his peak scoring output during the 2011–12 season with the , averaging 12.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting .479 from the field. Among advanced metrics, he posted a career (PER) of 15.4 and accumulated 42.9 , reflecting his consistent impact as a rotation player across multiple franchises.

NBA playoffs

Brandon Bass participated in the across eight postseason appearances from 2008 to 2017, accumulating totals of 59 games played, 498 points, 232 rebounds, and a 46.3% . His role varied from limited bench minutes early in his career to starting contributions during ' deep runs, where he provided efficient scoring and rebounding in high-stakes matchups. Bass's playoff per-game averages by season are summarized below:
SeasonTeamGGSMPGPPGRPGFG%
2007–085026.611.66.8.472
2008–0910019.29.44.1.550
2009–10ORL706.02.71.1.538
2010–11ORL6623.27.34.2.421
2011–12202030.411.15.3.463
2012–136534.06.76.7.483
2014–154421.55.02.0.350
2016–17LAC104.02.01.0.333
Career playoff averages: 23.0 minutes, 8.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists, .458 FG. Key series highlights include the following standout performances:
YearSeriesTeamRole/OutcomeHighlight Details
2007–08First Round vs. New OrleansDALBench; lost 1–4Averaged 11.6 points and 6.8 rebounds; scored a playoff-high 19 points in Game 2.
2008–09First Round vs. DenverDALBench; lost 1–4Shot 55.0% from the field, providing efficient scoring off the bench in 10 games.
2009–10Eastern Conference Finals vs. BostonORLBench; lost 3–4Limited to 6.0 minutes per game across 7 appearances, contributing 2.7 points amid Orlando's deep run.
2010–11First Round vs. AtlantaORLStarter; lost 2–4Started all 6 games, averaging 7.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in a competitive series.
2011–12Eastern Conference Finals vs. MiamiBOSStarter; lost 2–4 (after ECF win)Started all 20 games en route to ECF, averaging 11.1 points; in Semifinals Game 5 vs. Philadelphia (won series 4–3), erupted for 18 points in the third quarter en route to a playoff career-high 27 points to spark a comeback victory.
2012–13First Round vs. New YorkBOSStarter; lost 2–4Averaged 6.7 rebounds in 6 games, helping contain Knicks' frontcourt in a physical series.
2014–15First Round vs. ClevelandBOSStarter; lost 0–4Started all 4 games in sweep, focusing on defensive matchups against LeBron James.
2016–17First Round vs. UtahLACBench; lost 2–4Appeared in 1 game for 4 minutes, scoring 2 points in limited action.

International

Brandon Bass competed internationally in the (CBA) from 2017 to 2020 with the , where he contributed significantly to their 2018 championship run. His CBA performance featured strong scoring and rebounding, culminating in a sweep of the 2017–18 finals. Additionally, Bass represented the United States in the qualifying tournament in 2021, appearing in two games.

CBA Regular Season Averages

SeasonGamesMinutesPointsReboundsAssistsFG%
2017–183832.022.49.81.8.574
2018–194532.022.89.72.2.572
2019–203031.121.48.31.8.583

2017–18 CBA Finals Statistics (vs. Guangsha Lions)

Liaoning swept the best-of-seven series 4–0, with Bass averaging 21.3 points and 9.5 rebounds over four games.
Game DatePointsReboundsAssists
Apr 1528101
Apr 1717100
Apr 2015104
Apr 222581

2021 Qualifying ( National Team)

Bass played in two qualifying games for the , averaging 12.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
OpponentDatePointsReboundsAssists
Feb 1912102
Feb 201251

Overall International Totals (CBA Regular Season, Playoffs, and USA Qualifying)

Across 113 CBA regular-season games, Bass totaled 2,517 points and 1,058 rebounds. Including 21 CBA playoff games (298 points, 195 rebounds) and 2 USA national team games (24 points, 15 rebounds), his international career excluding NBA play encompasses 136 games, 2,839 points, and 1,268 rebounds.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.