Overview
Carter Bryant grew up in Riverside, California, and had a decorated high school career. In 2022, he participated in the NBPA Top 100 Camp and the Damian Lillard Formula Zero Elite Camp. In 2023, he participated in the USA Basketball Junior National Team April Minicamp, the NBPA Top 100 Camp, the Jayson Tatum Elite Camp and the Nike Skills Academy. As a junior, Bryant averaged 22.1 points, 13.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.9 blocks and 1.6 steals, and was named the Pacific Coast Conference MVP. As a senior, he was selected to play in the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game. The consensus five-star recruit played collegiately at Arizona. As a one-and-done freshman, Bryant saw 19.3 minutes per game and averaged 6.5 points on 46/37/70 shooting, 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.9 steals. His single-game highs were 14 points, four 3s, 11 rebounds, six assists, four steals and three blocks.
Analysis
Bryant is 6-foot-7 and a bouncy, athletic 3-and-D player with upside for further offensive growth. 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.
Quotable
“The one thing about Carter is he checks two boxes that are really hard to check. He’s an elite talent and he has elite character.” — Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd
Some stats & tidbits
Carter blocked 37 shots in 2024-25, the seventh most by a freshman in Arizona history … Father, D’Cean, played college basketball at Long Beach State … Mother, Sabrina Torres, is a sign language interpreter … His grandfather Mike “Doc” Torres is a member of the USA Deaf Basketball Hall of Fame … His grandmother Shelly Freed is a longtime educator and administrator at the California School for the Deaf
Projection
Bryant’s floor appears to be a quality 3-and-D player. However, if he can tap into self-creation and utilize his passing vision more on offense, there’s untapped upside. The potential for development gives him a range of player comparisons, including Josh Smith, Gerald Wallace and OG Anunoby.
— Profile by RotoWire.com