Central Lakes College Lands Two Local Basketball Stars

Brainerd and Staples-Motley standouts Grant Johnson and Avandre Brandt commit to play for the Raiders next season.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:22am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting the action and movement of a basketball game, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors like royal blue, crimson red, and golden yellow, conceptually representing the athleticism and versatility of the two new players joining the Central Lakes College basketball team.The dynamic, geometric style captures the energy and movement of the two local basketball standouts joining the Central Lakes College team.Brainerd Today

The Central Lakes College Raiders men's basketball team has secured commitments from two top local high school players - Grant Johnson from Brainerd High School and Avandre Brandt from Staples-Motley High School. Both players had standout senior seasons and will bring leadership, athleticism, and versatility to the CLC roster next year.

Why it matters

Recruiting local talent is a key strategy for the CLC basketball program to build a competitive team and maintain strong community ties. Johnson and Brandt are two of the best players in the Brainerd Lakes area, so their decisions to stay local and play for the Raiders is a big win for the program.

The details

In his senior season, Grant Johnson averaged 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.6 steals per game for the Brainerd Warriors. Avandre Brandt of Staples-Motley put up 13.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game.

  • Grant Johnson and Avandre Brandt signed their letters of intent on April 10, 2026 to play for Central Lakes College next season.

The players

Grant Johnson

A senior at Brainerd High School who was one of the top players in the area, averaging 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.6 steals per game.

Avandre Brandt

A senior at Staples-Motley High School who put up 13.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in his final high school season.

Jim Russell

The head coach of the Central Lakes College Raiders men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“They are both the best athletes on the team. Both bring some leadership and some athletic ability. They are capable of playing a lot of different positions.”

— Jim Russell, Head Coach, Central Lakes College Raiders

The takeaway

Central Lakes College's ability to recruit top local talent like Grant Johnson and Avandre Brandt demonstrates the program's commitment to building a strong, community-focused basketball team that can compete at a high level.