Carter Bryant is officially NBA-bound. The Arizona Wildcats freshman forward announced Monday that he is declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft, ending weeks of speculation after a strong finish to his debut college season.
While the Wildcat faithful were undoubtedly disappointed to see the talented forward move on to the NBA, his comments were still flooded with support, including from some very notable fans.
Arizona Superstar Freshman Carter Bryant Declares For NBA Draft
In a social media post, Carter Bryant paid tribute to his roots and the Wildcats program that helped elevate his basketball journey.
View this post on Instagram
“From being an eight-year-old boy who always felt the magic of McKale as a fan, to playing in the most important games of my life thus far with Arizona on my chest, this journey has been all I could’ve ever imagined,” he wrote. “GOD bless the dream chasers,“ he wrote in the caption.
With this loss, head coach Tommy Lloyd, entering his fifth year at Arizona, loses a rising two-way wing whose NBA upside turned heads during March Madness.
Basketball’s Finest Show Support for Carter Bryant Following Draft Decision
Among the flood of reactions to Carter Bryant’s post, one stood out. Me’arah O’Neal, daughter of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, dropped an encouraging comment, “There he goo [sic] workout brudda.”
A McDonald’s All-American from Episcopal High School in Houston, O’Neal chose the Florida Gators over programs like LSU, where her father starred.
In her first season, she averaged 4.8 points per game on 42.5% shooting and 27.7% from three, playing primarily off the bench. Florida missed the NCAA Tournament and instead competed in the Women’s Basketball Invitational, falling to Minnesota in the title game.
Keep Reading: Bulls Projected To Take Arizona’s Carter Bryant With High Defensive Upside and Untapped Offensive Potential
Also chiming in under Bryant’s post was Baylor standout and fellow draft entrant VJ Edgecombe, who joked, “Share the rock tho bro,” a nod to Bryant’s offensive confidence. Bryce James, son of NBA icon LeBron James, also left a comment on his post.
Bryant averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and one assist on 46% shooting during his freshman season. Though he started just five games, he became a key piece of Arizona’s second unit.
His impact peaked in the NCAA Tournament, where he posted 8.3 points per game and made a name for himself on the defensive end. That postseason stretch boosted his draft stock and helped solidify his decision.
Now, Bryant prepares for the next step—leaving behind the McKale Center he once sat in as a fan, and walking into the NBA spotlight.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
