22 Branden Dawson
	Class: Sophomore Height / Weight: 6-6 / 230 Position: G Hometown/High School: Gary, Ind./Lew Wallace

The Word
Tremendous recovery from ACL injury suffered in March • Athletic wing with Big Ten body • Owns incredible rebounding instincts both on the offensive and defensive end • Possesses wide, strong frame that allows him to attack the paint and finish above the rim • Strength and length allow him to defend multiple positions, having developed into one of MSU's premier defenders • Preseason second-team All-Big Ten selection by Lindy's Sports College Basketball • Rated the No. 5 small forward in the nation by Lindy's.

2011-12
Started the first 31 games of the season, averaging 8.4 points and 4.5 rebounds • Missed the final six contests after suffering a torn left ACL in the regular-season finale vs. Ohio State • Big Ten All-Freshman Team honoree • Honorable mention All-Big Ten (media vote) • Ranked fourth on the team in scoring and second in rebounding • Third on the squad in both steals (29) and blocks (26) • Ranked fourth in the Big Ten in field-goal percentage overall (.577) and third in conference games (.584) • Led the squad in field-goal percentage, ranking fourth all-time among Spartan freshmen • Ranked seventh in the Big Ten in offensive rebounding overall (2.2 orpg) and sixth in conference games (2.1 orpg) • Ranked 13th in the Big Ten in blocked shots overall (0.8 bpg) and 11th in conference games (0.9 bpg) • Scored in double figures in 12 contests • Led the Spartans in scoring in four games, including contests vs. Texas Southern (11/18 - 13 points), UMKC (12/19 - 16 points), Purdue (1/21 - 14 points) and Illinois (1/31 - 12 points) • Twice scored a season-high 16 points, including games against UMKC (12/19) and Minnesota (1/25) • Ranked second on the team with three double-doubles: vs. Central Connecticut State (12/7 - 11 points, 11 rebounds), at Illinois (1/31 - 12 points, 13 rebounds) and at Purdue (2/19 - 15 points, 11 rebounds), leading MSU in rebounding in all three games • Grabbed six or more rebounds on 10 occasions, including a season high 13 at Illinois (1/31) • Tallied two steals on 10 occasions, including two games with three steals • Blocked two or more shots in nine games, including a season-high four blocks vs. Minnesota (1/25) • Ranks third all-time among Spartan freshmen with 26 blocks • Grabbed seven rebounds in his Spartan debut against North Carolina (11/11), tied for the fifth-most ever by a MSU freshman in his first game • Named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Jan. 30, becoming the first Spartan honored in the two-year history of the award, following his 16-point effort vs. Minnesota (1/25).

High School
2011 McDonald's All-American, recording nine points and eight rebounds in the McDonald's All-American Game • Participant in McDonald's All-American Game Powerade Jam Fest • 2011 PARADE Magazine Third-Team All-American • Averaged 28.7 points, 18.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists as a senior for Coach Renaldo Thomas at Lew Wallace High School, leading team to a sectional championship and the regional semifinials • Member of Indiana All-Stars, competing against Kentucky All-Stars • 2011 Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Senior All-State selection • 2011 Northwest Indiana Times Player of the Year • Played in 2011 Derby Festival Classic • Ranked among the top 25 players in the nation by Scout.com (#13), Rivals.com (#20) and ESPNU Top 100 (#22) • Rated the No. 4 small forward in the nation by Scout.com, No. 5 by ESPNU Top 100 and No. 7 by Rivals.com • 2010 Associated Press First-team All-State honoree • 2010 Northwest Indiana Times Player of the Year • Averaged 23.1 points, 14.7 rebounds, 4.8 steals and 3.1 blocks as a junior, shooting 62 percent from the field • Led Lew Wallace High School to a 19-5 mark and the 3A state championship game, totaling 22 points and 11 rebounds in an overtime loss • Participated in 2010 LeBron James and Paul Pierce Skills Academies • Participated in 2010 NBA Top 100 Camp • Three-time all-area selection • Averaged 17.3 points, 15 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 4.5 steals and 3.8 blocks as a sophomore • AAU teammate of fellow freshman Travis Trice for SYF Players.

Personal
Born Feb 1, 1993 • Son of Leon Albritton and Cassandra Dawson • Plans to major in communication.