| Jesse Branson | |
| Position: | Small forward |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 7 |
| Weight Lb: | 195 |
| Number: | 22, 24 |
| Birth Date: | 7 January 1942 |
| Birth Place: | Graham, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Gibsonville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| High School: | Holt (Burlington, North Carolina) |
| College: | Elon (1961–1965) |
| Draft Year: | 1965 |
| Draft Round: | 2 |
| Draft Pick: | 13 |
| Draft Team: | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Career Start: | 1965 |
| Career End: | 1968 |
| Team1: | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Years2: | 1965–1966 |
| Team2: | Trenton Colonials |
| Years3: | 1967–1968 |
| Team3: | New Orleans Buccaneers |
| Stats League: | NBA and ABA |
| Stat1label: | Points |
| Stat1value: | 1,091 (13.1 ppg) |
| Stat2label: | Rebounds |
| Stat2value: | 541 (6.6 rpg) |
| Stat3label: | Assists |
| Stat3value: | 67 (0.8 apg) |
| Bbr: | bransje01 |
Herman Jesse Branson (January 7, 1942 – November 2, 2014) was an American basketball player.
Born in Graham, North Carolina, he played collegiately for Elon University. He was 6feet tall.
He became known as the hoops legend at Elon, setting numerous basketball records, and still holding them today.
His Basketball Jersey (number 40) was retired after his time at Elon, and was temporarily taken out of retirement for his son Brian Branson to wear during his senior year. The Jersey now hangs in the Elon Scharr Center, moved from its place in the alumni gym.
Jesse married his sweetheart Barbra Tillman in 1962 until his own death. During his senior year in 1965, and throughout his NBA career, he had his first child, Brian Branson born in 1965
He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round (18th pick overall) of the 1965 NBA draft.
He played for the 76ers (1965–66) in the NBA for 5 games and for the New Orleans Buccaneers (1967–68) in the ABA for 78 games.
Branson died on November 2, 2014, in Gibsonville, North Carolina, where he lived.[1]
Source[2]
| Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 5 | 2.8 | .167 | .750 | 1.8 | .2 | 1.0 | |||
| New Orleans (ABA) | 78 | 24.3 | .429 | .222 | .702 | 6.9 | .9 | 13.9 | ||
| Career | 83 | 23.0 | .427 | .222 | .702 | 6.6 | .8 | 13.1 | ||