“With the 14th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs select Carter Bryant, from the University of Arizona.” On Wednesday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver turned Carter Bryant’s dreams into a reality.
Bryant arrived in Tucson with lofty expectations as a five-star recruit, Top 30 prospect, and McDonald’s All-American. While he did not put up eye-popping stats, Bryant’s defensive tenacity, offensive efficiency, and hustle on both sides of the ball were a critical part of his rise in the draft process.
In his lone season at Arizona, Bryant appeared in all 37 games, including five starts, averaging 19.2 minutes a game. He averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game, along with 37 blocks and 35 steals, while shooting 46.0 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from 3-point range. Bryant shined in Arizona’s OT win against Iowa State, finishing with 14 points and three rebounds, and 12 points and five rebounds in the Wildcats’ NCAA first round victory over the Akron Zips.
“I wasn’t necessarily sold on putting my name completely in the draft. I was always planning to be a two-year guy, like I didn’t plan on going out after my freshman year last year,” said Bryant during Draft Media Day. “Being able to go day-by-day, speak to people, and them just to give me the honest truth. And then, at the end of the day, being able to have my coaching staff give me the green light to take the step and take the jump, I think that’s something that’s beautiful.”
Bryant joins a San Antonio Spurs team that is in win-now mode, adding generational talent Victor Wembanyama with the first overall pick in the 2023 draft. He will also play alongside De’Aaron Fox, reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper, selected 12 spots earlier with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 Draft. Bryant also has the opportunity to learn from veteran point guard Chris Paul, who is entering his 21st season in the NBA.
With the San Antonio Spurs’ selection, Carter Bryant becomes the 27th first-round pick in Arizona program history. He is also the third first-round pick and fifth overall selection since Tommy Lloyd took over the Wildcats program, joining Bennedict Mathurin, Dalen Terry, and Christian Koloko in 2022 and Pelle Larsson in 2024.
[…] becomes the second player from Arizona’s 2024-25 roster to make an NBA roster, joining Carter Bryant, who was selected 14th overall by the San Antonio […]