During Wednesday's NBA Draft Combine media session, Arizona forward Carter Bryant stated that he will not be returning to Arizona and is completely committing himself to the NBA. Sources tell WildcatAuthority that within the past 24 hours, Bryant was informed that it is extremely unlikely he will last past the first 12 picks of 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. He came off the bench and averaged 19 minutes per game, but his role was going to be magnified with a starting spot and more minutes should he have stayed.
Bryant measured in at 6'6 ½ barefoot, 214.8 pounds with a 6'11 ¾" wingspan and 8'10" standing reach. The measurements aren't really elite, but they aren't bad either and will likely have little to no impact on where he is drafted.
He participated in shooting drills on Tuesday and while the numbers were not spectacular, the team workouts hold more weight and his status as a lottery pick clearly was not impacted.
In a previous mock draft, 247Sports' Adam Finkelstein had Bryant going 10th to the Houston Rockets. After the results of Monday's NBA Draft Lottery, the Rockets will have the 10th pick and likely remain an intriguing spot for Bryant.
"This feels a bit high for a guy who averaged 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, but Bryant also shot 46% on unguarded catch-and-shoot 3s, defended everything from point guards to forwards, and is still just 19 years old," Finkelstein writes. "Shooting is a requisite around Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, so Bryant makes sense as a big 3-and-D prospect who provides some insurance with Jabari Smith now failing to eclipse 36% from 3-point range in all three seasons."
ESPN.com's Jonathan Givony did a post lottery mock draft and actually moved Bryant into the lottery, going to the San Antonio Spurs with the 14th pick of the draft.
"With its second lottery pick in this draft, it will be interesting to see what San Antonio's appetite is for adding another rookie to an already young roster as the team likely hopes to gear up for a postseason run, nine years removed from its last playoff series win," Givony writes. "Which direction the Spurs go with their first selection will likely play a role in what they do here, but the idea of moving one of these picks for more immediate help might appeal to the front office, depending on how the draft unfolds. If they keep the pick, a young combo forward like Bryant who can space the floor and guard multiple positions makes a lot of sense."
Bryant's decision did not catch anybody off guard and there is a good chance that the Arizona coaching staff will move relatively quickly to secure his replacement.