Brandon Tyree Rachal (born September 30, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the LSU Tigers, the Pearl River CC Wildcats, and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane.

Brandon Rachal
No. 2 – Austin Spurs
PositionShooting guard
LeagueNBA G League
Personal information
Born (1999-09-30) September 30, 1999 (age 24)
Natchitoches, Louisiana, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High schoolNatchitoches Central
(Natchitoches, Louisiana)
College
NBA draft2021: undrafted
Playing career2021–present
Career history
20212023Long Island Nets
2024–presentAustin Spurs
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-AAC (2021)
  • Third-team All-AAC (2020)

High school career edit

Rachal played basketball for Natchitoches Central High School in his hometown of Natchitoches, Louisiana. He helped his team win two state titles with one runner-up finish. In his junior season, Rachal averaged 15 points, eight rebounds and three steals per game. He led his team to a Class 5A state championship and was named MVP of the title game.[1] As a senior, he averaged 20 points, 12 rebounds and three steals per game.[2] A four-star recruit, Rachal committed to playing college basketball for LSU over offers from Texas and Texas A&M, among others.[3] He reaffirmed his commitment to LSU after head coach Johnny Jones was replaced by Will Wade.[4] Rachal also played football at the wide receiver position in high school and was recruited by college football programs.[5]

College career edit

On January 29, 2018, Rachal was suspended for one game by LSU for violating team rules.[6] He was suspended for LSU's two games at the National Invitational Tournament for undisclosed reasons.[7] As a freshman, Rachal averaged 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. For his sophomore season, he moved to Pearl River Community College.[8] Rachal averaged 15.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, earning Second Team National Junior College Athletic Association All-American honors.[9] For his junior season, he transferred to Tulsa. On November 16, 2019, he recorded a career-high 30 points, seven rebounds and five steals in a 72–65 victory against Austin Peay.[10] As a junior, Rachal averaged 12.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and was named to the Third Team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC).[11] On January 2, 2021, he posted a senior season-high 25 points and 13 rebounds in a 70–66 win over Cincinnati.[12] Rachal was named Naismith Player of the Week on January 4.[13] As a senior, he averaged 15 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, and was a Second Team All-AAC selection.[14]

Professional career edit

Long Island Nets (2021–2023) edit

After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Rachal joined the Brooklyn Nets for 2021 NBA Summer League.[15] On October 11, 2021, Rachal signed with the Nets.[16] He was waived at the end of training camp on October 15.[17] On October 25, 2021, Rachal joined the Long Island Nets.[18]

Rachal again signed with the Brooklyn Nets on October 1, 2022, but was waived on October 5. He rejoined Long Island on October 9. On January 23, 2023, Rachal was waived after appearing in 1 game. He was acquired by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants from waivers, on February 27.[19] He was waived on March 8 without appearing in a game.

On October 30, 2023, Rachal joined the Rip City Remix of the NBA G League,[20] but was waived on November 7.[21]

Austin Spurs (2024–present) edit

On March 4, 2024, Rachal joined the Austin Spurs.[22]

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

NCAA Division I edit

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 LSU 27 0 15.9 .533 .200 .550 3.3 .7 1.0 .2 4.4
2019–20 Tulsa 30 29 29.1 .441 .246 .794 5.8 1.4 1.5 .6 12.1
2020–21 Tulsa 23 23 31.6 .442 .314 .726 7.2 2.2 1.6 .8 15.0
Career 80 52 25.4 .454 .285 .732 5.4 1.4 1.3 .5 10.4

JUCO edit

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Pearl River CC 30 28 .497 .292 .641 8.7 2.7 1.7 .8 15.5

References edit

  1. ^ Lopez, Andrew (October 12, 2016). "LSU basketball picks up commitment from Natchitoches Central guard Brandon Rachal". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  2. ^ Lopez, Andrew (April 20, 2017). "Meet LSU's 2017 basketball signing class". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  3. ^ Daniel, Cody (October 12, 2016). "4-star CG Brandon Rachal commits to LSU over Texas, Texas A&M". Burnt Orange Nation. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  4. ^ Mickles, Sheldon (March 23, 2017). "All's well that ends well: LSU basketball signee Brandon Rachal still set to join Tigers program, coach says". The Advocate. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  5. ^ Roser, Jerit (January 14, 2016). "LSU, Tulane hoops 2017 target Brandon Rachal gaining football recruiting momentum". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  6. ^ Guilbeau, Glenn (January 30, 2018). "LSU players Sims, Rachal were suspended apparently due to appearance in a video". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  7. ^ Mickles, Sheldon (August 1, 2018). "After transfer, former LSU guard Brandon Rachal lands at Pearl River Community College". The Advocate. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  8. ^ Lopez, Andrew (August 1, 2018). "Former LSU guard Brandon Rachal lands at Pearl River CC". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  9. ^ Hines, Kelly (April 9, 2019). "TU basketball lands junior college standout Brandon Rachal". Tulsa World. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  10. ^ "TU men's basketball: Rachal scores 30 points as Hurricane tops Austin Peay". Tulsa World. November 16, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  11. ^ Hines, Kelly (March 10, 2020). "TU's Martins Igbanu selected to all-conference first team; Brandon Rachal on third team". Tulsa World. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  12. ^ "Rachal scores 25 to lead Tulsa past Cincinnati 70-66". USA Today. Associated Press. January 2, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  13. ^ "Rachal Named Naismith Trophy Jersey Mikes Player of the Week". Tulsa Golden Hurricane. January 4, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  14. ^ "Brandon Rachal – Men's Basketball". University of Tulsa Athletics. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  15. ^ Milholen, Chris (July 31, 2021). "UNDRAFTED: Nets sign David Duke Jr. and Brandon Rachal as Summer League roster fills out". NetsDaily.com. SB Nation. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  16. ^ Sturm, Alec (October 11, 2021). "Long Island Nets continue to round out roster, sign Jordan Bowden and Brandon Rachal". NetsDaily.com. SB Nation. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  17. ^ Braziller, Zach (October 16, 2021). "Nic Claxton's defensive versatility makes him underrated asset to Nets". New York Post. Retrieved October 17, 2021. On Friday, the Nets waived guards Jordan Bowden and Brandon Rachal. They could end up with their G-League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.
  18. ^ "Long Island Nets announce training camp roster". NBA.com. October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  19. ^ https://gleague.nba.com/transactions
  20. ^ Holdahl, Casey [@CHold] (October 30, 2023). "The @ripcityremix begin training camp for their inagural season today at the @trailblazers practice facility. Here's who they're taking into camp..." (Tweet). Retrieved November 12, 2023 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ "2023-2024 Rip City Remix Transactions History". RealGM.com. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  22. ^ "2023-2024 Austin Spurs Transaction History". RealGM.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.

External links edit