When the University of Denver men’s basketball team takes the floor Thursday night (7:00 pm MT) at Hamilton Gym, four players will be concluding their collegiate home careers on Senior Night – Tommy Bruner, Drake Muller, Carlos Fuentes, and Jaxon Brenchley. Brenchley has taken one of the most winding and interesting paths of all.

Brenchley, a fifth-year graduate student from Utah, is working towards a Masters in Business Management degree at DU. He will be joined this Thursday night by his mom, dad, grandfather, AAU coach, his wife Jace, and her parents.

Brenchley has been a major addition to DU basketball this season contributing 11.1 points per game (51.9% from the field), 5.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 34 steals and 12 blocks in 29 games. Aside from steady production, his calm leadership and positive attitude are critical for a team that has seen highs and lows during the long 29-game stretch.

Brenchley is quick to note that his basketball success is a family affair. “My mom and dad are both big basketball fans. My mom was like ‘Tonight, we’re going to watch this game’ – whether it’s college or pro. They were a big influence on me.”

His father coached youth basketball and converted him from a short 6’5″ center to a big point guard – a move that benefited him later in his highly successful prep career. “My parents are both unbelievable supporters and everything I’ve got is a credit to them and their hard work.” His parents drove him to distant practices, games and camps, “It was a lot of sacrifice.”

Brenchley grew up quickly. Before starting his four-year college basketball career, Brenchley went on a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) to Taiwan. “I spent two years by myself with a partner in a foreign country. It taught me a lot about being social and how to respect others. I also learned Mandarin Chinese as an undergraduate. It prepared me for life. I’d like to utilize my Chinese language skills in my (business) career. It was an amazing experience. I’m so grateful I did that and went to Taiwan. I love the people there and the country.”

Jaxon was a highly sought-after prep player in Utah and elected to play close to home for the PAC-12 Utes. He was a spot player for Utah over four years on a deep, talented roster.

DU head coach Jeff Wulbrun got a good look at Brenchley when Wulbrun was an assistant coach at Stanford as the Cardinal played against the Utes in the PAC-12. Benchley played some of his best games against the Cardinal. Wulbrun remembered the pesky 6’5″ guard when he saw Jaxon’s name in the transfer portal last spring. Denver assistant coach Rob Zewe quickly jumped into action and contacted Brenchley for a campus visit.

Following their campus visit to Denver, Jaxon and his wife Jace liked the City of Denver, DU’s business school and her seamless transition from Utah Jazz cheerleader to Denver Nugget cheerleader. However, it was the basketball challenge that Brenchley embraced. “I am the perfect example. I was in and out of the rotation (at Utah) starting some games to not playing at all over my four years. After graduating, I realized I wanted to maximize my potential. A lot of players can do it (transfer) these days. You don’t need to chase the money and benefits in the high major programs. It’s worked out great here in Denver – amazing benefits and opportunities, too. I’ve been able to start every game and produce for my team. It has been really satisfying for me and a big confidence booster for me.” Brenchley appreciates both his time at Utah and Denver. “I have wondered what my career accomplishments would have looked like (if he was at DU for four years). Obviously, I’ve had a pretty good career – I wouldn’t change it. I’ve enjoyed my path.”

He welcomed the opportunity to be a part of Coach Wulbrun’s vision. “When you come into a program that has been down in the past, you don’t see it or understand it but you hear people talk about it and you realize (the past struggles). Someone told me no kids stayed after games for autographs. This year, we come out of the tunnel and we have fifty kids trying to get autographs. It’s amazing to see that you can make a difference and contribute to the change. That is a memory I will cherish for sure.” His best personal performance was against St Thomas when Brenchley scored 25 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists in one of DU’s best games, a 94-77 blowout of St. Thomas in Hamilton Gym.

Heading down the stretch of this season, any success Denver experiences is going to rely on Brenchley’s talent, energy and experience. He believes he can play a valuable role both on and off the court come conference tournament time. “I’ve played in four conference tournaments. I’ve played in big, meaningful games over my five years. I bring experience and calmness- talking to my teammates and getting them motivated and ready to go. Adding leadership and accountability is a thing I can add, on and off the court.”

Brenchley is laser-focused on his final two collegiate regular season games and the Summit League Tournament. “The overall belief from the top down to the players – we can do this. We have everything in front of us. We have two weeks to make the NCAA tournament. We’ve been down in the past but why not now – why not this year? We have all the tools. Why not us?” Brenchley may be right – there is no clearcut favorite in the Summit League Tournament and there is a belief by many basketball analysts that any team can win the tournament.

As the season winds down, Jaxon and Jace are contemplating life after college basketball. “If we get the opportunity to play basketball overseas and enjoy that life and experience of living internationally together, we would take it and make the most of that opportunity. Maybe (play basketball) a couple of years and then come back and start my business career.”

People witness his leadership on the floor and suggest he would be an outstanding coach. “People ask if I want to coach. I’ve had three coaches – Coach (Larry) Krystkowiak & (Craig) Smith at Utah and now coach (Jeff) Wulbrun. I’ve learned from each of them. It makes me think – I’m not going to close that door but I think for me I’m leaning more towards a business-related career. You never know.”

Brechley also sees a greater purpose in his only season at Denver. “The crowds have grown and the excitement around some of our games – the overtime finishes and some of the individual performances have sparked interest in the student body and the community and the kids, too. Hopefully, we can build on that with our last home game tomorrow and it goes into next year.”

His ultimate collegiate goal is clear, “I want to leave with a championship. That is why I came here – to play in March, play in big games, go dancing. I’ve never been there. I could score zero points – my main objective, my main goal is to make the tournament. My family and me watch every play of the (NCAA) tournament. I’ve always wanted to play in it. I know we can.”

Help us send out our seniors the right way, and PACK HAMILTON on Thursday night.
🎟️: https://t.co/e6eREru1AN#GoPios pic.twitter.com/H8muFYlZ8D

— Denver Men's Basketball (@DU_MensHoops) February 27, 2024

Jaxon, Tommy Bruner Drake Muller, and Carlos Fuentes will be formally recognized following the game against UMKC Thursday night when they wear Crimson & Gold for the final time on their home court. Stay after the game for the recognition event and celebrate the contributions these four student-athletes have made to DU and Denver basketball.

Top photo courtesy of BYU Athletics