OCU Basketball Player overcomes life's challenges through the game

Brandon Wilson’s journey from a tough childhood in Los Angeles to earning a basketball scholarship at Oklahoma City University shows his perseverance and love for the game.

Friday, January 17th 2025, 6:13 pm

By: Mike Glover


From a very young age, Brandon Wilson loved playing basketball--you could say he was passionate about it. Though life wasn’t exactly the way he wanted it to be, that passion never left him.

“Apparently, when I was a kid, I used to love dribbling a basketball on the porch for hours at two or three years old,” said OCU basketball player, Brandon Wilson.

Things were good for Brandon and growing up in Los Angeles, until his dad began having health challenges, eventually costing him his job.

“It was just kind of, steady up and down and we were battling homelessness and when you’re in somewhere like LA, it’s really, really hard to get out of that hole,” said Brandon.

He used his basketball toughness to get through those tough times.

“I think it better prepared me for life like It didn’t break me,” said Brandon.  

His tenacity would eventually land him on the Netflix series Last Chance U.

“You got coach Mosley screaming and yelling and demanding these things from you while you’re playing basketball in a heated situation, and it’s all emotional, and boom, you have a camera right in your face,” said Brandon.

After three years with team ELAC he was offered a full-ride scholarship with Oklahoma City University.

“That’s all I cared about at that point, I just like, 'I’m just trying to go somewhere and play ball,'” said Brandon.

“He’s a really nice, down to earth to earth dude,” said Coach Mark Berokoff, head basketball coach at Oklahoma City University.

Even though Brandon had other offers, coach Berokoff knew he was special and wanted to coach him.

“Brandon is a top-of-the-line guy, he’s one of my favorite guys that I’ve ever coached in thirty years, and it’s been really awesome so far,” said Berokoff.

Brandon admits he has seen things much differently since being at OCU.

“If you’re feeling down and out about anything, just remember that it is a blessing to be alive. Just be grateful for that,” said Brandon.

He's grateful for every time he gets the opportunity to step on the court.

“I just look at it as a blessing more than anything,” said Brandon.

Mike Glover

Bio coming soon

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