January 19, 2026

Brandon Claerbaut posting career-highs for Ferris State men’s basketball team in a season of challenges

In a season of changes and challenges for the Ferris State University men’s basketball team, Brandon Claerbaut has become a positive constant.

The basketball team experienced a coaching change just before the start of the season, then injuries to four key players.

Claerbaut, a 6-foot-4 senior from Zeeland, is putting up career numbers, averaging 7.7 points in 26.8 minutes per game for new head coach Alex Fodness and assistant coach Reece Hazelton.

"Obviously, we've had a lot of adversity. This group is getting together closer day by day," said Claerbaut, who was a Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan All-State and Academic All-State performer at Zeeland East High School.

"We've had a lot of injuries, coaching switches and everything like that, but I feel like off the court, we've been hanging out a little bit more, which obviously helps out with the on-the-court stuff," he said.

"We're continuing to build our chemistry. Overall, I feel like we still have a high ceiling. We just have to keep coming in every day and working hard. We know that we can have the good results we want if we put in the work."

Claerbaut's confidence is growing through opportunities to showcase his skills and development as a college basketball player. He credits his coaches and teammates.

"It's just all my teammates around me who have got a lot of confidence in me, which allows me to be confident," he said. "This offseason, I tried my best to put in as much work as possible, knowing that opportunities will present themselves. Given all the changes we've experienced and whatnot to our roster, it has just been the next man up mentality for us."

Brandon has been closely following the success of his twin brother Nate who is flourishing after transferring to Central Michigan University. The Chippewas' starting center, averaging 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and nearly two blocks in 17 games.

"I am proud of him. He is playing really well," Brandon said. "He's one of the better players on that team. It's cool seeing it because he had such an impactful role on our team last year here, and to be able to do it at the Division I level also is just sick, and obviously, he's got a big future moving forward. I'm always rooting."