SNAPSHOT
An athletic forward who can impact the game on both ends of the floor with his versatility, Carter Bryant is considered an underrated prospect who has a style of game that should translate nicely to the top level when he is drafted.
Although he is still a bit raw on the offensive end, needing to add a jumpshot to truly round out his game, Bryant is still one of the top forward prospects given his ability to guard one through five and make life extremely difficult for his opponent.
DRAFT PROFILE
Bryant grew up in California and played his high school basketball under the coaching tutelage of his father. He clearly made a name for himself as he was named to the McDonald's All-American Boys game, putting his craft to the test against fellow young guns.
He was a consensus five-star recruit and received offers from multiple schools, including the Louisville Cardinals, before settling to play at the Arizona Wildcats, with the team right in the championship window with some proven talent.
Given there was so many strong players on the team already, Bryant only started the five games, but showcased his traits over the course of the season with excellent plays on both ends of the floor. Although his playing time may have been less than his fellow draft prospects, there is no doubting he impressed the Wildcats throughout the season.
During the 2024/25 fixture, Bryant averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, while shooting 46.0 per cent from the field, 37.1 per cent from behind the arc and 69.5 per cent from the free throw line in just 19.3 minutes per game.
STRENGTHS
+ Inside scoring
+ Catch and shoot ability
+ Defensive versatility
+ Athleticism
IMPROVEMENTS
- Creation of his own shots
- Shooting off the dribble
On the offensive end, Bryant thrives as a cutter, timing his drives to the hoop perfectly and catching the defence off guard more often than not. It also demonstrates that he does not need the ball to make an impact offensively, making him an ideal addition to a team that thrives on a high volume of ball movement.
He has also shown a knack of knocking down spot up shots, doing his best work from behind the arc out of catch and shoot situations. His high release does not allow the defence to contest the shot well enough, and combining this with his excellent cutting tendencies will make him a tough defensive assignment.
On the defensive end, Bryant's versatility is his biggest strength, as he is able to guard all five positions and do so extremely well. This skill should translate to the NBA, and his ability to switch will be an excellent tool against some of the best players in the world.
There is still a ways to go in terms of his shooting, as he is not quite able to knock down shots off the dribble and can lose the ball when attacking closeouts. If he can become a better contributor off the dribble, it will make him an extremely damaging offensive player.
DRAFT PROJECTION: Top 20
Bryant is one of the best defenders in the draft class, and one of the better forwards overall. If a team can pick him up in the teens and allow him to develop his shooting to match his excellent inside game, he will be a tremendous two-way player.
