University of Arizona freshman Carter Bryant attributes his unique perspective to his upbringing in the Deaf community. As a grandchild of Deaf adults (GODA), he learned sign language before speaking and considers this background a “superpower.”
His childhood revolved around the California School for the Deaf in Riverside, where his father coached basketball.
Arizona’s Carter Bryant on Embracing His Deaf Community Roots
Carter Bryant’s bond with the Deaf community runs deep. His family includes several Deaf relatives, including his grandfather, Mike “Doc” Torres, a USA Deaf Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and his grandmother, Shelly Freed, an educator at the California School for the Deaf.
His mother, Sabrina Torres, works as a sign language interpreter, reinforcing a household where communication extends beyond spoken words.
Bryant’s first signed word was “ball,” an early sign of his passion for basketball. He developed a profound respect for the Deaf community, rejecting the idea that deafness is a limitation.
“A lot of people see being deaf as a disability. … I see it as a superpower. I have so much love and respect for that community,” Bryant told KVOA-TV.
Bigger than basketball ❤️
Arizona’s Carter Bryant is a grandchild of deaf adults and his mother is a sign language interpreter.
(via @KVOA) pic.twitter.com/3hVssMWuNc
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) March 26, 2025
His journey to the University of Arizona wasn’t without challenges. As a high school sophomore, he caught the attention of Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd and associate head coach Jack Murphy, but their first in-person evaluation was disastrous.
“I was missing dunks, missing shots … I was all over the place defensively,” Bryant recalled, per “Alumni Arizona”.
Overwhelmed, he broke down after practice, fearing his chance at Arizona had slipped away. That doubt disappeared on Nov. 4 when Bryant suited up for his first regular-season game. Despite getting little sleep the night before, he played 16 minutes, contributing six points, a rebound, and a steal in a 93-64 win over Canisius.
“It was awesome,” he said of the experience. “Being in the moment allowed me to just have fun and enjoy the crowd. … It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had playing basketball.”
Arizona’s Carter Bryant Shines in NCAA Tournament Win Over Akron
Arizona freshman Carter Bryant impressed in the Wildcats’ 93-65 first-round NCAA Tournament victory over Akron on Friday in Seattle. ESPN NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony praised him for “showing his two-way versatility, explosiveness, and shot-making prowess.”
Bryant finished with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 2-of-4 from three, while adding five rebounds and three blocks in 20 minutes. Givony projects him as a top-20 NBA Draft pick, leaving Bryant with a major decision after the 2024-25 season.
This season, Bryant is averaging 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks, shooting 48.1% from the field and 37.1% from three. He last scored in double figures 16 games ago, when he had 14 against Iowa State on Jan. 27.
At 6’8″, 225 pounds, Bryant’s athleticism allows him to play multiple positions. He will be crucial against Oregon on Sunday in the second round as Arizona aims for a deep tournament run.
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