The Chicago Bulls are at a crossroads. After trading away Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan within a year, they’re in rebuild mode, hunting for young talent to shape their future. In the 2025 NBA Draft, one name keeps popping up as a potential fit in recent mock drafts: Carter Bryant, a 6’8”, 220-pound forward from Arizona.
Bryant didn’t dominate college stat sheets, but his athleticism, effort, and defensive chops make him a gamble worth taking for a team needing a forward.
Carter Bryant’s College Beginnings at Arizona Under Tommy Lloyd
At Arizona, head coach Tommy Lloyd ran a deep, talented squad, and Bryant played a reserve role in his freshman year under Lloyd but still made an impact. In 37 games, he averaged 19.2 minutes, a far cry from the 30-plus minutes elite prospects often log. Still, he made those minutes count, showing enough promise to leave an impression.
Footage of Arizona’s Carter Bryant from the NBA Draft Combine. Came out a hair under 6’8 in shoes with a near 7-foot wingspan. Announced he’s officially staying in the draft yesterday. pic.twitter.com/XVHeBxYEVE
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 15, 2025
Bryant’s stat line won’t blow one away; he averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. Yet his efficient shooting and defense elevated Arizona’s bench. He shot 37.1% from three, knocking down 39 of 105 attempts, proving he could stretch the floor when given a room to thrive.
Bryant had his moments to shine, and he didn’t waste them. Take Arizona’s 2025 NCAA Tournament opener against Akron in the Round of 64. He dropped 12 points, snagged five rebounds, and swatted three shots, helping the Wildcats cruise to a win.
The game was a snapshot of what he could do: defend like a Pitbull and chip in offensively when it mattered. His energy was purely a glimpse of the player he might become.
Not everything went perfectly for Bryant, though. In Arizona’s Sweet Sixteen run, Bryant’s offense hit a wall. He never topped 12 points in any tournament game, and his inconsistency showed.
Some nights, he’d drain a couple of threes and look like a future star; others, he would vanish. Flashes of brilliance mixed with stretches of “what if?” Still, his effort never wavered, which kept him on NBA radars.
Defensive Prowess That Made Bryant a College Standout
If there’s one thing Bryant brings in every game he features, it is defense. At 6’8” with a wingspan pushing seven feet, he’s got the tools to guard anyone. At Arizona, he’d switch onto guards, battle bigs in the post, and still contest shots at the rim.
A testament to his 1.9 blocks and 1.8 steals per 36 minutes; they came from instincts and relentless hustle. Tommy Lloyd loved that about him, often throwing him into tough matchups despite his bench role.
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He’d leap for blocks, sprint back in transition, and dive for loose balls like the game was on the line. Teammates fed off it, and opponents hated it. That kind of motor doesn’t fade, and it’s why scouts see him sticking in the NBA from day one. The Bulls, who’ve lost defensive identity since trading their stars, could immediately lean on that.
Offense is where his story gets interesting. He is not a polished scorer yet, but the raw materials are there. He has gotten a smooth stroke and the confidence to let it fly. At 220 pounds, he is strong enough to finish at the rim, hinting he might create his own shot someday.
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