On a night when Cooper Flagg’s coronation as the No. 1 pick dominated headlines, another story simmered beneath the surface: Carter Bryant, the Arizona Wildcats forward whose unassuming demeanor belied his lottery-grade talent. Selected 14th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2025 NBA Draft, Bryant entered the league not with a media circus, but with a resolve forged from years of overlooked hustle.
Despite modest college stats—6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game as a freshman—Bryant’s blend of athleticism, defensive instincts, and untapped offensive upside made him a stealth target for savvy front offices. As ESPN’s Jonathan Givony noted, teams coveted his “size, shotmaking, and defense,” a triad that screams modern NBA role player. Yet until draft night, Bryant’s narrative was punctuated by a viral moment of solitude amid the frenzy—a “snub” that ignited fan fury and foreshadowed his underdog appeal.
For Spurs GM Brian Wright, this pick was strategic: a 6-foot-7 wing with a near 7-foot wingspan, ready to slot alongside Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle in a terrifying young core.
NBA Draft Projections & Potential Landing Spots
While Cooper Flagg dominated top-pick chatter, Carter Bryant solidified his place as a stealth lottery prize in the 2025 NBA Draft. Consensus mock drafts pinned the Arizona product firmly between picks 10–12, with the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 11 emerging as his most likely destination.
- Portland Trail Blazers (Pick 11): Bleacher Report, ESPN, and The Athletic all projected Bryant here. The Blazers, deep in a rebuild, crave versatile wings to pair with Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Bryant’s defense and untapped offensive upside align perfectly.
- Phoenix Suns (Pick 10): Yahoo! Sports linked Bryant to Phoenix. With Kevin Durant’s window narrowing, the Suns need cheap, NBA-ready talent. Bryant’s 7-foot wingspan and defensive versatility offer immediate rotational value.
- Chicago Bulls (Pick 12): Fox Sports saw Bryant as a fit for Chicago. The Bulls lack two-way forwards, and Bryant’s athleticism (39.5″ combine vertical) and defensive switchability would bolster a stagnant roster.
Why not higher? Scouts acknowledged Bryant’s raw offensive game (just 6.5 PPG at Arizona) kept him outside the top 5. Yet his elite physical tools (6’6.5″ height, 6’11.75″ wingspan) and defensive ceiling made him a strategic upside play in the late lottery – a gamble teams like San Antonio ultimately valued.
Scout’s Take: Why Carter Bryant Impresses
Physical Tools & Defensive Prowess
Carter Bryant’s near 7-foot wingspan (6’11.75″) and 6’7″ frame make him a versatile defensive weapon, capable of guarding positions 1–4. Scouts universally highlight his “elite switchability,” intelligent rotations, and disruptive instincts—traits that anchored Arizona’s defense even in limited minutes. His combine-best 39.5″ vertical leap and lateral agility further cement his status as a lockdown perimeter defender, with one analyst noting this is “his clearest NBA skill”.
Shooting Efficiency & Off-Ball IQ
Though his college stats were modest (6.5 PPG), Bryant’s 37% three-point accuracy and late-season surge (45.5% from deep in his final six games) reveal untapped upside as a floor-spacer. His mechanics are fluid, and he excels as a low-usage threat—excelling in spot-up situations, timely cuts, and quick decisions. As Peachtree Hoops noted, he “punishes defensive lapses” without demanding touches, making him ideal for star-driven systems.
Mentality: The Hidden Asset
Bryant’s “elite character” (as hailed by Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd) separates him. Scouts praise his selflessness, coachability, and work ethic—traits exemplified by accepting a bench role at Arizona despite his pedigree as a McDonald’s All-American. He boxes out, sets screens, and rotates early, embodying the “connector” archetype contenders covet.
Development Areas
- Self-Creation: Struggles to generate offense off the dribble; loose handles limit his drive-and-kick game.
- Physicality: At 215 lbs, he avoids contact at the rim and needs added strength to battle NBA forwards.
- Shooting Dynamism: Reliant on stationary threes; must expand to off-movement and pull-up jumpers.
Comparisons: OG Anunoby (high-floor defender) or Trey Murphy III (3-and-D ceiling)
With the 14th pick of the NBA Draft the @spurs select Carter Bryant (@carterdbryant)!
— NBA (@NBA) June 26, 2025
2025 #NBADraft presented by State Farm LIVE on ABC & ESPN! pic.twitter.com/SjQIj37kTY
The “Media Snub” That Sparked Fan Support
A viral Yahoo Sports video laid bare the draft’s narrative imbalance: While Flagg faced a “swarm of reporters,” Bryant sat “nearly alone” with just three journalists. The stark contrast ignited social media fury, with fans decrying the oversight and hailing Bryant’s humility. The moment:
- Symbolized undervalued grit: Fans rallied behind #UnderdogBryant, predicting he’d “make teams regret passing.”
- Highlighted media bias: Reignited debates about prospect coverage disparities.
Bryant’s response embodied his character: “Nikola Jokic got drafted during a Taco Bell commercial… My focus is getting better every day”.
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Carter Bryant’s Journey to the NBA Draft
Bryant’s pedigree hinted at his potential long before Arizona:
- High School Dominance: A decorated McDonald’s All-American who battled back from a junior-year knee injury to lead Corona Centennial to a state title—his grit foreshadowed his draft-night composure.
- Elite Bloodline: Grandfather in the USA Deaf Basketball Hall of Fame; mother a sign language interpreter.
- Arizona Tenure: Accepted a limited role (19.3 MPG) on a deep roster, showcasing defensive IQ and efficient shooting.
Outlook: A Promising NBA Future in San Antonio
With the Spurs, Bryant’s 3-and-D archetype aligns perfectly with their methodical rebuild.
- Short-Term: Energy wing off the bench, leveraging defense and spot-up shooting (15–20 MPG).
- Long-Term: Potential starter if he develops a mid-range pull-up or drive-and-kick game.
In San Antonio—a franchise built on undervalued gems like Manu Ginóbili and Dejounte Murray—Bryant’s ‘snub’ backstory feels less like an oversight and more like destiny.
For a prospect once overlooked in a near-empty media scrum, Bryant’s fit in San Antonio—a franchise famed for refining humble grinders like Kawhi Leonard—feels poetic. His work ethic and defensive versatility embody the Spurs’ “pound the rock” ethos.
As Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd declared: “He checks two boxes: elite talent and elite character.” GM Brian Wright secures a low-maintenance piece to accelerate Victor Wembanyama’s timeline.
