Player Profile:
“Another big with a lengthy wingspan, Bryant was a potential top 20 pick last season prior to making the decision return. Standing a couple of inches taller than Motley, Bryant is set at the center spot moving forward. The former 5-star recruit still boasts considerable upside, especially this late in the draft, but — quite frankly — hasn’t performed to par with some of the talents ahead of him. Bryant’s post game has been inconsistent and his 3-point shooting, albeit improved, hasn’t found a consistent plateau yet along with the rest of his offensive game. He’s knocking down 40.5 percent from that range but doesn’t boast the consistency night-to-night to move up. He does have good energy on the boards, though.” — 2017 NBA Draft Big Board 5.0.1.
Outside Opinion:
“Although Bryant’s star has dimmed somewhat during an up-and-down year for both he and the Hoosiers, you have to appreciate how hard he plays in addition to his massive frame. He’s active on the glass, but his numbers don’t really match the eye test there. Bryant has blocked more shots this year and shown a more comfortable-looking jumper, too. His lack of elite lift and quickness limits his ceiling, but you can see him slotting into a role off someone’s bench and making an impact. If he ends up falling out of the first round, he could be a nice value pick.” — Jeremy Woo in SI.com’s 2017 NBA Draft Big Board 2.0.
Team Fit:
This Brooklyn team has very few guarantees moving forward, meaning a lack of immediate fit now might not be a problem by the time next season rolls around. With Brook Lopez on the trade block and Trevor Booker aging, that remains very true for their frontcourt — and thus Bryant is their pick here.
Despite some considerable ups and downs for Bryant, both as a prospect and performance-wise this season, there’s one relatively constant factor keeping his stock afloat: the dude tries hard. He’s a rangy presence underneath the basket, and possesses great energy when protecting the rim and on the defensive boards. He hasn’t always maximized his shot blocking potential in the past, but at least seems to be gradually improving in that aspect as his sophomore campaign draws on.
Offensively, Bryant still has some voids to fill, but is showcasing one key addition on a relatively consistent basis this season — a 3-point shot. Floor spacing is imperative in today’s league, making that a trait that should drive Bryant’s stock up in some circles.