ESPN’s Givony: Carter Bryant showed why he’s a projected top-20 pick in Arizona’s win over Akron

In many NBA draft circles, freshman forward Carter Bryant has long been viewed as the Arizona Wildcats’ best pro prospect this season.

It’s never been more clear than it is now, as Bryant is coming into his own and using his energy, effort and other tools to help Arizona through its postseason play, first by getting to the Big 12 Tournament Championship and now through the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

He had 12 points, five rebounds and three blocks in 20 minutes during Arizona’s 93-65 win over Akron on Friday.

It caught the eye of ESPN NBA draft analyst Jonathan Givony, who saw Bryant’s two-way potential on display.

Good NCAA tournament debut for Carter Bryant, showing his two-way versatility, explosiveness, and shot-making prowess in Arizona's blowout win over Akron. 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks in 20 minutes for the 19-year-old, projected top-20 pick. Oregon up next. pic.twitter.com/wi13z3WkLH

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 22, 2025

The first sequence included in Givony’s clip stood out the most, as Bryant skied for a block before sprinting down the court to pay it off with a dunk seconds later.

“I think I just give all the credit to my teammates and the coaching staff,” Bryant told reporters postgame. “They have been getting on me all year to play harder, play harder, play harder, and I think obviously you want to play your best in March, but just making simple plays and making effort plays, they kind of stack up, and that’s why runs happen.”

What is Carter Bryant’s NBA draft projection?

In the March 1 edition of ESPN’s top-100 board done by Givony and his colleague, Jeremy Woo, Bryant was found at No. 19 overall, a handful of picks outside the lottery. It also noted he was on the rise, up from No. 25 previously.

Bryant has earned the trust of Tommy Lloyd and the Arizona coaching staff as the season has gone on through “consistent strides on both ends of the floor,” Givony wrote.

To his point, Bryant has steadily seen his minutes increase from 14.8 per game in nonconference play to 20.4 in Big 12 play before getting at least 20 minutes in all four postseason games thus far.

He’s averaging 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks over the four postseason games, with a bigger challenge coming up against an Oregon team that plays with much more size and tenacity than Akron.

The Wildcats and Ducks tip off their second-round matchup Sunday at 6:40 p.m. MST on TBS.

Related

Tommy Lloyd feels at home in Seattle, ready for 'drag-out affairs' rest of NCAA TournamentArizona set to face Oregon in second-round matchup in NCAA TournamentRJ Godfrey signs with Arizona, expected to be Wildcats’ starting power forwardCourt rulings grant NCAA athletes from high school class of 2022 another year of eligibilityArizona Wildcats announce 2026-27 men’s basketball nonconference scheduleArizona’s Tommy Lloyd not interested in NBA after UNC interest