Feb. 1, 2007
Dr. Douglas Brandt, a native of Hastings, Neb., is a grand model for the definition student-athlete. Whether on the basketball court or in the classroom, Brandt has excelled in his craft.
During his career at Baylor, Brandt became one of the most accomplished basketball players in history. He ranks first in career starts--starting 108 games of the 109 he played while at Baylor. He missed a few games due to an injury his redshirt freshman year.
"I tore some cartilage in my knee when we played Texas," said Brandt. "I only missed three games and my first game back I came of the bench."
Along with career starts, Brandt is also ranked among Baylor's all-time leaders in rebounding (No. 6 all-time) and scoring (No. 7 all-time). His 318-point season in his senior year put him in the illustrious 1,000-point club. Brandt left Baylor with 1,236 total career points.
"I was just happy that I got to play as much as I did. I made a lot of key shots, but I also missed a lot," said Brandt.
Aside from basketball, Brandt did exceptionally well in the classroom. From 1995 to 1997 he garnered Academic All-American honors making him Baylor's first-ever three-time Academic All-American. He also managed to stay on the Dean's List all five years of his collegiate career.
Brandt was a member of numerous academic honor societies' including the Golden Key Honor Society and Mortar Board. In 1996, he was listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities. After a stellar academic career at Baylor, Brandt was also in a select group in 1998 awarded the title Outstanding Young Men in America. He attributed most of his academic success to being on the basketball team.
"It was hard, but it helped to be on the team. It really made you put your priorities in check. Playing sports is like a full time job," said Brandt.
After graduating in 1997, Brandt experienced a short-lived career in the NBA with the Houston Rockets. After being released, he went on to play professional basketball overseas. His first European team, Jeanne D'Arc Vichy, was in France. He also played half a season with Varese, an Italian team, before finishing up with the Grand Rapid Hoops in the Continental Basketball Association. Brandt retired from professional basketball in 2002, but not before noticing the difference between the NBA and other leagues.
"It's a lot different," he said. "The NBA is about size and athleticism, while ball overseas is more about skills...you have to be a great athlete to play in the NBA," said Brandt.
After putting down the basketball, he decided to pick up a stethoscope. From 2002 to 2006 Brandt attended medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. While pursuing his doctorate, Brandt maintained a 3.96 grade-point average and finished 15th in a class of 229. He is currently a surgical resident at Dallas' Methodist Hospital.
He and his wife, Delphine, have two daughters; Leona and Josephine. In 2008, Brandt will begin studying Radiology at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
During his college years Dr. Brandt emerged as one of the best student-athletes to ever come through Baylor. He is a testament to the hard work of all college athletes, but more importantly, he is a testament to Baylor's tradition and spirit.
Written by Geoff Nelson, Baylor Athletic Media Relations Student Assistant
