Donald Vernon Carlson (March 22, 1919 – October 16, 2004) was an American professional basketball player. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.A 6'0" (1.83 m) guard/forward from the University of Minnesota, Carlson played four seasons (1946–1947; 1948–1951) in the Basketball Association of America/National Basketball Association as a member of the Chicago Stags, Minneapolis Lakers, and Baltimore Bullets.