Latest news with #CarterBryant
Yahoo
23-07-2025
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Spurs Summer League coach drops blunt take on Carter Bryant's struggles
The post Spurs Summer League coach drops blunt take on Carter Bryant's struggles appeared first on ClutchPoints. As much as he's stood out defensively during the NBA Summer League, San Antonio Spurs first-round lottery pick Carter Bryant has struggled offensively. His head coach during summer competition, Mike Noyes, also serves as the franchise's director of player development. 'With our roster, we hope he competes for playing time,' Noyes said. 'He brings a lot to the table and it's not just on the defensive end.' Given Noyes' standing within the organization, it stands to reason he means the San Antonio roster as opposed to his squad now or the Austin Spurs, where several of the summer players will land. For many years, the franchise sent their draft picks to their minor league affiliate during those rookie years. That protocol has changed recently. Their highest selections in each of the previous three years have spent their first campaigns with the big club. There's expectation that 2025 second overall pick Dylan Harper will follow the footsteps of Jeremy Sochan and Rookie of the Year winners Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. Even before the Silver and Black's Summer League competition began in the California Classic, Bryant's status posed a bit of a question mark. Regarded as more athletic than skilled, relatively speaking for a 19-year-old, it's natural to ask whether Bryant will join the paths of 2022 Spurs first-round picks Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley, who both spent time in Austin before they were traded this summer. In Las Vegas, Nevada games against the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz, Bryant has shot 3/24 from the field, including 1/12 from three-point range. They're numbers Noyes dismisses. 'I couldn't be less worried about it. He's gonna make shots. He is an NBA player,' the UConn alum said. 'His defense has overshadowed his offense because he's been so good at times defensively. Carter has a great offensive game. The nerves out of the way, he understands his role.' Spurs' Carter Bryant opens up about offensive struggles As much as he's struggled offensively, Bryant has excelled defensively. A possession in which he chased Cooper Flagg all over the court before causing the number one overall pick to turn it over made the highlight reel and social media rounds. 'You're gonna look back and enjoy your career much more than you would have if you're like, 'Damn, I only made two shots.' I think I shot like 0-for-7,' Bryant said following that win vs. the Dallas Mavericks. 'Who cares? I got another one. I get to go and compete. So I'm just grateful to compete.' Bryant has sandwiched five-point outings around his two-point contest vs. the Mavs. 'This shot's going to fall, this shot's not gonna fall. At the end of the day, I've been shooting a basketball the same exact way since I was four or five years old,' Bryant said. Bryant's confidence in his offense hasn't taken a hit. In fact, the 2025 fourteenth overall pick says he'll be near the top by the time it's all said and done. 'I believe that I'm gonna be one of the best shooters in this league. Zero for seven from three-point line. That's not gonna define what I am as a basketball player.' Related: Spurs' De'Aaron Fox debuts his newest Curry Fox 2 Related: Victor Wembanyama reveals long-term Spurs 'dream'
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spurs' Carter Bryant unleashes on defense with one-man block party vs. 76ers
The post Spurs' Carter Bryant unleashes on defense with one-man block party vs. 76ers appeared first on ClutchPoints. Just imagine if the San Antonio Spurs added another young player with a long wingspan, athleticism, and rim-protecting abilities to pair with their unicorn star Victor Wembanyama. Advertisement Oh, yeah, that's right. That's exactly what the Spurs have done. The Spurs landed the rookie they were targeting after drafting Carter Bryant as the 14th overall pick last month. The team was high on the former Arizona standout for his ability to impact the game on the defensive end. On Thursday, the Spurs battled the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Summer League, and the 19-year-old Bryant showed why he could be a key weapon for the Silver and Black. In just 30 seconds—heating up leftover rice would take longer—he swatted away three shots of the 76ers in the second quarter. If you squint hard enough, it looks like it's a smaller version of Wembanyama defending the paint. Advertisement Before some of you roll your eyes and blurt the familiar refrain, 'It's just the Summer League,' it's still a strong indicator of Bryant's defensive instincts. For sure, the Spurs saw that during his one-year stint with the Wildcats. Now, if there's one lesson history has taught us, it's this: Don't bet against the Spurs' scouting. Prior to the game against Philadelphia, San Antonio was 1-2 in the NBA Summer League. In the two games Carter played in, he put up 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 22.7 minutes. In his lone year at Arizona, he averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks. But many of his contributions didn't show up in the statistics, including energy plays and two-way activity. While the 6-foot-8 Bryant will have to earn his minutes behind Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson, and Julian Champagnie, it's not implausible to see him carve out a role with the Spurs under the first full year of coach Mitch Johnson. Advertisement Related: When will Spurs' Dylan Harper will make Summer League debut amid injury? Related: Spurs rookie Dylan Harper recalls unexpected encounter with Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
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Carter Bryant's Spurs contract creates first ‘crazy' NBA moment
The post Carter Bryant's Spurs contract creates first 'crazy' NBA moment appeared first on ClutchPoints. By his own admission, it's been a whirlwind of an off-season for San Antonio Spurs draft pick Carter Bryant. And that was before he signed his first NBA contract. Advertisement 'Crazy,' the 14th overall selection of the 2025 NBA Draft continued. 'It's still surreal.' Bryant is one of two players the Silver and Black took in the first round. Both in the lottery. 'I think for me, just throughout my childhood, it's always been a dream of mine,' the former Arizona Wildcat shared about inking a deal in the greatest basketball league in the world. Carter Bryant contract details Per the NBA's rookie scale contract regulations, Bryant will make $4.9M his rookie season. The next year, he'll earn $5.1M. In 2027-2028, the Spurs will have a team option with his deal set to reach $5.4M annually. In 2028-'29, the 19-year-old wing will be eligible for an extension while San Antonio has the team option on his $8M salary. If the two sides don't reach an agreement by the summer of '28, Harper would become a restricted free agent before the '29-'30 season. Advertisement 'For it to actually be here and for me to start something that I hope is very good for a long time, it's just crazy to me,' the Riverside, California native admitted. The 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward played one season at the University of Arizona, where he averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 0.9 steals while shooting 46.0% from the floor and 37.1% from three-point range in 37 games. Bryant was named a McDonald's All-American after averaging 17.0 points and 9.0 rebounds as a senior at Corona Centennial High School. As a junior at Sage Hill High School, he received the 2023 Wooden Award as the boys basketball player of the year for CIF Southern Section District IV after averaging 22.1 points, 13.7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.9 blocks, and 1.6 steals. Bryant now looks to spearhead the Spurs Summer League team when they begin play in San Francisco at the California Classic. Dylan Harper, the organization's pick with the second overall selection, has been ruled out for that portion of the team's competition. He should join the team when they head to Las Vegas, Nevada for the NBA 2K26 Summer League. Bryant is set to be there for that swing as well. Related: Dylan Harper's 'surreal' NBA journey begins with Spurs rookie contract Advertisement Related: Spurs' Dylan Harper trolls Ace Bailey's Jazz presser
Yahoo
12-07-2025
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Watch Carter Bryant make his first bucket with Spurs
The post Watch Carter Bryant make his first bucket with Spurs appeared first on ClutchPoints. NBA summer league placed the spotlight on Carter Bryant Saturday. The San Antonio Spurs made Bryant one of their big priorities during the offseason via the NBA Draft. And can now gain a feel of his potential. Advertisement Bryant is already showing off the shooting stroke that made him coveted during the final week of June. He took a quick pass, then buried this corner three-pointer inside the Chase Center. Which came during his summer league debut. That's not only his first NBA points before the regular season. But he handed the Spurs their first points of the afternoon against the Miami Heat. Bryant is coming in to help comprise the new movement post Gregg Popovich. Carter Bryant models game after unpopular franchise star Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Bryant did kind of ruffle some feathers among Spurs fans pre-draft. San Antonio fans embrace David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili for leading NBA title runs. Bryant, however, mentioned a rather unpopular Spurs star he models his game after. Advertisement The Arizona star admitted he likes to pattern his game after Kawhi Leonard. Which he shared to Hector Ledesma of ClutchPoints. The same Leonard who had a notable falling out with the Spurs. Leonard never finished his career in San Antonio like the past four legends. He opted for free agency and ultimately won his second championship with the Toronto Raptors. Leonard now leads the Los Angeles Clippers. Still, Bryant isn't shy about using 'The Klaw' as his influence. 'He became one of the best players in the world, arguably a top-three player to be playing basketball at a time where Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and LeBron [James] were pretty much solidified to be the top three. But he was really making a statement that he was one of the best players in the world as well,' Bryant said before he got drafted. Advertisement But he won't be wearing Leonard's No. 2 jersey. That belongs to Dylan Harper, the second overall pick. Related: Spurs share 'heartbroken' message amid devastating flooding Related: Grading Luke Kornet's $41 million Spurs contract
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spurs' Carter Bryant makes bold Rookie of the Year prediction
The post Spurs' Carter Bryant makes bold Rookie of the Year prediction appeared first on ClutchPoints. The odds that a player on the San Antonio Spurs will win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award for the third straight year are slim. Don't tell that to Carter Bryant though. The No. 14 overall pick says if he doesn't win the award, that means his new teammate, No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper, will have beaten him to the punch. Advertisement 'I mean, one of us is gonna get it, so whether it's one or two or whoever gets it, it doesn't matter,' Bryant said. 'I'm just trying to win basketball games at a high level.' After Victor Wembanyama became the third player in Spurs history to win the honor, Stephon Castle doubled the franchise's ROTY tally by taking home the trophy this past season. Bryant isn't alone in thinking this, as Harper also sees the possibility for a three-peat. 'I mean, definitely, I think that's definitely a goal of mine is to make it three in a row,' Harper said. 'And I think the coaching staff and I think the players are gonna probably make it easy for me to go out there and showcase my talent. So, definitely.' Advertisement Carter Bryant, Dylan Harper prepare for 2025-26 campaign with Spurs While San Antonio missed out on the playoffs last season, it's clear they are a team on the rise in the Western Conference. If Harper and Bryant can come in and make an impact right away, the Spurs could quickly emerge as one of the top teams in the West. Harper knows transitioning from college to the pros will be difficult, but he's excited to make that jump. 'It's definitely an adjustment,' Harper has already said of his upcoming transition to the NBA, 'In my head I'm thinking, 'This is really my college (experience),' because Rutgers was right down the road, 50 minutes. That's like high school part two for me. But, now officially being far away, just excited. Honestly, ready for this new journey in my life and I'm gonna take it with grace and I'm also just gonna be happy wherever I end up.' Perhaps making things easier, this is a journey Harper will take alongside his friend Bryant. Advertisement 'I'm looking forward to playing with my guy, D. Harp,' Bryant continued. 'I mean, it's been a long time coming. We had a lot of conversations throughout high school whether we all were trying to play together in college, just maybe playing together at some point. So, for him, to be my draft buddy and being able to both go in the lottery and be able to represent San Antonio is dope.' That Harper and Bryant are playing specifically for the Spurs matters to both guys. 'Man, I feel great. I feel good. I almost cried, 'Harper admitted. 'Everything, in just every emotion you could possibly feel I felt during that moment. I was ready to get with that organization man. Ready to get things rolling I'm just super excited and happy and just always grateful for everything.' 'Definitely,' Bryant added. 'I think I just want to bring more attention to whatever organization I was blessed to be drafted by. But obviously San Antonio just has a rich history of having a lot of intention behind everything they do.' Advertisement The Spurs had every intention of drafting Dylan Harper. They targeted him knowing that the Dallas Mavericks would take Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick. They didn't think Carter Bryant would be available when they were back on the clock at 14, to the point where they considered trading up to get him. With perhaps the best haul of any team in the 2025 draft, San Antonio has added key pieces to what was already a promising young core. Whether one beats out Flagg – or the other – for Rookie of the Year remains to be seen. Related: Spurs' Dylan Harper opens up on learning from Bronny James, Shedeur Sanders Related: Spurs' Victor Wembanyama-De'Aaron Fox duo gets excited take from ex-player
