Though they didn’t take part within the second spherical of the 2025 NBA Draft final night time, the Spurs had a memorable first spherical by strolling away with two extremely touted prospects: 2nd total choose Dylan Harper and 14 total choose Carter Bryant. Most Spurs followers are in all probability aware of Harper since he was the consensus choose at that slot, and there was time to analysis him, however Bryant could also be much less acquainted to those that are not any that into faculty basketball. Yesterday, we received to know Harper a bit of higher, so make sure to go test that out when you haven’t already, and in the present day it’s Bryant’s flip.
Bryant was born in Riverside, California. Like Harper, he comes from a basketball background along with his father, D’Cean Carter, having performed faculty basketball at Lengthy Seaside State. He’s a highschool basketball coach who coached Carter himself, first at Fountain Valley Highschool, after which at Sage Hill Highschool in Newport Seaside, the place Carter transferred to after his father took the job there. He was named the Pacific Coast Convention MVP his junior 12 months after averaging 22.1 factors, 13.7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.9 blocks, and 1.6 steals. Lastly, he transferred to Centennial Excessive College in Corona for his senior season, the place he was named a McDonald’s All American in 2024.
As a consensus four-star recruit, he selected to play faculty ball on the College of Arizona. He solely began 5 video games on a veteran-laden squad in his lone season there, averaging 6.5 factors, 4.1 rebounds, 1 help and 1 block whereas taking pictures 37.1% from three in 19 minutes per recreation off the bench. Regardless of the comparatively restricted position, he was nonetheless broadly thought of a High 10 choose and declared for the NBA Draft, regardless that he in all probability might have launched himself into the highest 5 had he stayed in faculty one other 12 months. Even so, he’s nonetheless thought of a steal at 14th total this 12 months.
At 6’8”, Bryant is presently seen as an athletic 3-and-D wing who is generally a spot-up shooter off the catch and never identified for creating his personal shot, however he nonetheless has excessive upside on that finish (plus, with three elite guards in Harper, Stephon Citadel and De’Aaron Fox, the Spurs gained’t be in search of rather more from him than to get open and take his photographs at this level). On the opposite finish, Carter is an elite perimeter defender with an almost 7’ wing span and a famous capability to dam three-point photographs.
These property have led to a number of comparisons to former Spurs, from Bruce Bowen to Bryant’s fellow Arizona Wildcat Sean Elliott (who is definitely very enthusiastic about his arrival) if he reaches his offensive potential mixed along with his athleticism. Bryant himself admits he has tried to mannequin his recreation after a much less standard former Spur: Kawhi Leonard. Whereas Spurs followers might cringe on the identify, they’d absolutely love to really see that occur contemplating Leonard’s comparable trajectory from elite defender who doubtless fell a bit within the draft because of his shaky offensive recreation to deadly scorer and High 10 participant. Anticipating the identical from Bryant is unreasonable, however there’s nothing improper with making an attempt to be taught from an all-time nice and no denying that the upside is there.
Off the courtroom, Bryant may be very concerned within the deaf neighborhood, as each of his maternal grandparents are deaf. His grandfather, Mike Torres, is a member of the USA Deaf Basketball Corridor of Fame, whereas his grandmother, Shelly Freed, is a longtime educator and administrator on the California College for the Deaf. His mom, Sabrina Torres, is an indication language interpreter, and Bryant himself is fluent in American Signal Language. As he instructed Arizona Alumni for his participant profile:
As his profile rises, Bryant intends to convey consciousness to the Deaf neighborhood and hopes to host basketball camps in Tucson and on the California College for the Deaf as quickly as subsequent summer time. A part of it, he says, is utilizing his platform to make an impression. A part of it’s giving credit score the place credit score’s due.
“They deserve it,” he says. “They’re wonderful individuals.”
“Subsequent summer time” is now, so hopefully along with his new NBA contract, he can begin fulfilling his dream of doing extra for the deaf neighborhood, which can hopefully embody his new dwelling as properly. Welcome to San Antonio, Carter!
