Former Arizona Wildcat Carter Bryant has been drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the 14th pick in the NBA Draft.
Last season, Bryant averaged 6.5 points per game to go along with four rebounds on 46 percent shooting from the field as he came off the bench and averaged 19 minutes per game. Leading up the the draft, Bryant measured in at 6'6 ½ barefoot, 214.8 pounds with a 6'11 ¾" wingspan and 8'10" standing reach.
"Bryant is 6-foot-7 and a bouncy, athletic 3-and-D player with upside for further offensive growth," his NBA.com evaluation states. "He's an especially strong shot-blocker for a wing player and has high upside as an overall defensive playmaker, though he's been prone to some fouling.
"Offensively, he was mostly a rim-finisher or 3-point shooter at Arizona, not often creating his own shot. However, he's a good cutter and has shown some passing flashes. There's no question his NBA-level size and athleticism will help him impact both ends of the court immediately."
Bryant worked out for five different teams and did his best to show off his ability to be able to contribute early.
"The main things I can show at the next level are my ability to shoot and defend," he said. "I showed teams I am able to handle the ball and make reads out of pick and roll and isolation and play out of the post and finish at the rim consistently.
"Being able to defend multiple positions along with being able to shoot the basketball. I think those are two things the NBA will like forever, no matter if you are an 18th year player or first year of playing basketball at that level, those are tow things that translate immediately."
Although Bryant was a lottery pick, he is nowhere near content with where he is as a player.
"Playing at the next level is a growing experience," he said. "Every day you are going to wake up and there is something you can work towards. Basketball is so unique because there is always something you are working towards in terms of working toward perfection."
Reflecting on his freshman season at Arizona, Bryant believes he improved in multiple areas and credited the coaching staff for that improvement.
"As this year progressed, I spent a lot of time with TJ Benson and Rem Bakamus," he said. "They did a great job of kind of speeding up my shot and allowing me to get my feet down. As the season progressed I got a lot more comfortable shooting off the move and off the dribble. As the season progressed, I made a lot of big time shots and I think that's a testament to my work, coaching staff, and the brief the coaching staff had in me as well."
Bryant sees the possibility for a similar progression in the NBA and certainly is not lacking in confidence.
"Early in the league I feel like I am a guy that can guard multiple positions," he said. "I feel like I am capable of guarding one through four right now. I need to get a little bit stronger, but eventually I see myself as a guy that can guard all five positions on the floor.
"I watch a lot of Toumani Camara right now, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White. I see myself being one of the stars in this league. I watch a lot of film on Kyrie, Devin Booker, and Jayson Tatum as well.
"I understand there's a progression to get to that point, but know I am capable of it. I know I am capable of being one of the best players in this league and it is something I have to work on every day."