{"id":510138,"date":"2026-08-15T11:11:51","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T09:11:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/?p=510138"},"modified":"2026-08-15T11:11:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T09:11:51","slug":"carter-bryant-i-thought-i-wasnt-ready-to-be-in-the-nba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/carter-bryant-i-thought-i-wasnt-ready-to-be-in-the-nba\/","title":{"rendered":"Carter Bryant: &#8220;I thought I wasn&#8217;t ready to be in the NBA&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-section-id=\"s5unjt\" data-start=\"7411\" data-end=\"7476\"><span role=\"text\"><strong data-start=\"7414\" data-end=\"7476\">The jump from college to the NBA: &#8220;It&#8217;s a different world&#8221;<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"7478\" data-end=\"7613\">For a rookie, making the transition from college basketball to the NBA can be one of the biggest challenges of a young player&#8217;s career.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7615\" data-end=\"7840\">The speed, physicality, decision-making and overall talent level increase dramatically. Even prospects considered ready for the professional game can experience significant struggles while adjusting to the demands of the NBA.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7842\" data-end=\"7900\">Carter Bryant experienced that reality almost immediately.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7902\" data-end=\"8090\">Selected <strong data-start=\"7911\" data-end=\"7974\">14th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2025 NBA Draft<\/strong>, Bryant entered the league with a reputation as an excellent defender after his time with the <strong data-start=\"8069\" data-end=\"8089\">Arizona Wildcats<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8092\" data-end=\"8200\">San Antonio viewed him as a player who could eventually become an important piece of its defensive identity.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8202\" data-end=\"8296\">But Bryant quickly discovered that defending NBA players was a completely different challenge.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"560\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Carter Bryant telling a story about guarding Devin Vassell and getting cooked in practice:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cComing into the league, like everybody knew me as a defender and that\u2019s what I did. And obviously like, I carried that with me throughout my rookie year. But like I\u2019ll never forget it was\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/8cyoRhpgTJ\">pic.twitter.com\/8cyoRhpgTJ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NBA__Courtside\/status\/2087255956178493730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 11, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"181ibgm\" data-start=\"8298\" data-end=\"8365\"><span role=\"text\"><strong data-start=\"8301\" data-end=\"8365\">His second day in San Antonio brought a Devin Vassell lesson<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"8367\" data-end=\"8541\">Bryant recalled one of the moments that first made him understand just how significant the jump to the NBA really was during an appearance on the <em data-start=\"8513\" data-end=\"8532\">Road Trippin Show<\/em> podcast.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-start=\"8543\" data-end=\"8789\">\n<p data-start=\"8545\" data-end=\"8789\">&#8220;I&#8217;ll never forget my second day in San Antonio. I was working out and I heard a ball bouncing. We have a little side room that&#8217;s reserved for shooting. I went to see what was going on, and Devin Vassell was working with our coach Jimmy Baron.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"8791\" data-end=\"8815\">Then came the challenge.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-start=\"8817\" data-end=\"8870\">\n<p data-start=\"8819\" data-end=\"8870\">&#8220;Jimmy said, &#8216;Oh, Carter, come here. Guard Devin.'&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"8872\" data-end=\"8969\">For Bryant, it was an immediate introduction to the level of competition he would face every day.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8971\" data-end=\"9102\">Vassell was already an established NBA scorer, and Bryant suddenly had to defend one of the Spurs&#8217; most talented offensive players.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"9104\" data-end=\"9365\">&#8220;<strong data-start=\"9105\" data-end=\"9187\">I swear I&#8217;ve never seen a human being make that many contested shots in a row.<\/strong> I was playing unbelievable defense. I was thinking, &#8216;OK, I guess he&#8217;s going to kick my ass today, but since I&#8217;ve never done this before, I&#8217;m just going to go in and play hard.'&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"9367\" data-end=\"9421\">The problem was that Vassell simply kept making shots.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-start=\"9423\" data-end=\"9491\">\n<p data-start=\"9425\" data-end=\"9491\">&#8220;<strong data-start=\"9426\" data-end=\"9490\">I promise you he probably made like 18 shots in a row on me.<\/strong>&#8220;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"1p7hrrr\" data-start=\"9493\" data-end=\"9536\"><span role=\"text\"><strong data-start=\"9496\" data-end=\"9536\">&#8220;I shouldn&#8217;t have entered the Draft&#8221;<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"9538\" data-end=\"9594\">The experience immediately affected Bryant&#8217;s confidence.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"9596\" data-end=\"9687\">The rookie admitted that he began questioning whether he had been ready for the NBA at all.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-start=\"9689\" data-end=\"9834\">\n<p data-start=\"9691\" data-end=\"9834\">&#8220;I was thinking, &#8216;Man, I shouldn&#8217;t have declared for the Draft. I&#8217;m not ready to be here.&#8217; I was like, &#8216;This is serious. I don&#8217;t belong here.'&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"9836\" data-end=\"9986\">It was a remarkable reality check for a player who had only months earlier been considered one of the more intriguing prospects in college basketball.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"9988\" data-end=\"10041\">But Bryant&#8217;s education in the NBA was only beginning.<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"uvxguh\" data-start=\"10043\" data-end=\"10072\"><span role=\"text\"><strong data-start=\"10046\" data-end=\"10072\">Then came Kelly Olynyk<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"10074\" data-end=\"10224\">Later in the season, Bryant repeatedly found himself matched up with another veteran who presented a completely different challenge: <strong data-start=\"10207\" data-end=\"10223\">Kelly Olynyk<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"10226\" data-end=\"10345\">The Canadian big man had already spent <strong data-start=\"10265\" data-end=\"10290\">13 seasons in the NBA<\/strong>, playing for teams including Boston, Toronto and Utah.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"10347\" data-end=\"10476\">Bryant knew Olynyk was talented, but the rookie admitted that he had underestimated just how difficult it would be to defend him.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"10478\" data-end=\"10689\">&#8220;You&#8217;re playing against veterans, and I didn&#8217;t know Kelly Olynyk was that good. I knew he was really good. He had some great games throughout his career in Boston, Toronto and Utah. <strong data-start=\"10660\" data-end=\"10688\">He&#8217;s a fantastic player.<\/strong>&#8220;<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"10691\" data-end=\"10763\">Bryant particularly struggled when Olynyk received the ball in the post.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-start=\"10765\" data-end=\"10844\">\n<p data-start=\"10767\" data-end=\"10844\">&#8220;When I tell you he caught it in the post, I had no idea what was happening.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"10846\" data-end=\"10950\">Olynyk&#8217;s combination of footwork, shooting ability and creativity constantly forced the rookie to react.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"10952\" data-end=\"11076\">&#8220;He&#8217;d do one-legged step-backs, he&#8217;d give me a pump fake, and then he&#8217;d score off the glass. <strong data-start=\"11045\" data-end=\"11075\">He was having fun with me.<\/strong>&#8220;<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"fsjuio\" data-start=\"11078\" data-end=\"11124\"><span role=\"text\"><strong data-start=\"11081\" data-end=\"11124\">Even the coaches were getting on Bryant<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"11126\" data-end=\"11204\">The struggles against Olynyk did not go unnoticed by the Spurs coaching staff.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"11206\" data-end=\"11281\">Bryant recalled having coaches constantly challenging him during practices.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-start=\"11283\" data-end=\"11409\">\n<p data-start=\"11285\" data-end=\"11409\">&#8220;I had all the coaches on me. They were like, &#8216;Hey, you&#8217;re supposed to be a defender. It looks like you don&#8217;t belong here.'&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"11411\" data-end=\"11463\">Those experiences naturally affected his confidence.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"11465\" data-end=\"11540\">&#8220;<strong data-start=\"11466\" data-end=\"11539\">I remember my first two weeks guarding Kelly. It was horrible for me.<\/strong>&#8220;<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"11542\" data-end=\"11690\">For a first-round pick who had built his reputation around defense, being repeatedly exposed by experienced NBA players was a significant challenge.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"11692\" data-end=\"11766\">But it also became one of the most valuable parts of his rookie education.<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"1yfacnl\" data-start=\"11768\" data-end=\"11819\"><span role=\"text\"><strong data-start=\"11771\" data-end=\"11819\">Bryant kept working and earned opportunities<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"11821\" data-end=\"11916\">Despite those difficult moments, Bryant did not allow the early struggles to define his season.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"11918\" data-end=\"12087\">He continued to rely on the qualities that had made him an attractive prospect in the first place: energy, physicality, defensive intensity and a willingness to compete.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"12089\" data-end=\"12202\">That work eventually earned him the trust of Spurs coach <strong data-start=\"12146\" data-end=\"12163\">Mitch Johnson<\/strong> and a place in San Antonio&#8217;s rotation.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"12204\" data-end=\"12344\">Bryant appeared in <strong data-start=\"12223\" data-end=\"12250\">71 regular-season games<\/strong> during his rookie campaign, averaging <strong data-start=\"12289\" data-end=\"12334\">11.5 minutes, 4.2 points and 2.5 rebounds<\/strong> per game.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"12346\" data-end=\"12513\">Those numbers reflected a player still adapting to the NBA, but they also demonstrated that San Antonio was willing to give its young forward meaningful opportunities.<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"pef0dv\" data-start=\"12515\" data-end=\"12559\"><span role=\"text\"><strong data-start=\"12518\" data-end=\"12559\">Bryant also gained playoff experience<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"12561\" data-end=\"12608\">The rookie also saw action during the Playoffs.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"12610\" data-end=\"12786\">As the Spurs advanced deeper into the postseason and eventually reached the <strong data-start=\"12686\" data-end=\"12700\">NBA Finals<\/strong>, however, Bryant&#8217;s role became smaller and his appearances were increasingly limited.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"12788\" data-end=\"12936\">Still, experiencing a deep playoff run during his first NBA season provided valuable exposure to the intensity and demands of postseason basketball.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"12938\" data-end=\"13111\">Bryant&#8217;s rookie year therefore offered two very different lessons: the NBA was much harder than he had imagined, but the struggles themselves became part of his development.<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"1fz9da5\" data-start=\"13113\" data-end=\"13138\"><span role=\"text\"><strong data-start=\"13116\" data-end=\"13138\">The biggest lesson<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"13140\" data-end=\"13316\">The experiences against Vassell and Olynyk demonstrate just how difficult the transition from college basketball to the NBA can be, even for a highly regarded first-round pick.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"13318\" data-end=\"13510\">Bryant arrived in San Antonio with the reputation of being an elite college defender. But he quickly learned that being a good defender at the NCAA level is only the starting point in the NBA.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"13512\" data-end=\"13630\">Players are faster, stronger and more skilled, while veterans know how to exploit even the smallest defensive mistake.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"13632\" data-end=\"13816\">Bryant&#8217;s first weeks were, in his own words, &#8220;horrible.&#8221; But those experiences also taught him exactly what he needed to improve if he wanted to establish himself at the highest level.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"13818\" data-end=\"13938\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">The rookie got his reality check early. The next step is turning those lessons into the foundation of a long NBA career.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The San Antonio Spurs rookie opened up about the brutal reality check he experienced during his first NBA season: first against Devin Vassell, then against veteran Kelly Olynyk. Despite those early struggles, Bryant eventually earned a role in the rotation and gained valuable playoff experience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":145,"featured_media":510137,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[92],"tags":[],"rumors":[],"typology":[],"posizionamento":[],"class_list":["post-510138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Carter Bryant: &quot;I thought I wasn&#039;t ready to be in the NBA&quot; - Sportando<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/carter-bryant-i-thought-i-wasnt-ready-to-be-in-the-nba\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Carter Bryant: &quot;I thought I wasn&#039;t ready to be in the NBA&quot; - Sportando\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The San Antonio Spurs rookie opened up about the brutal reality check he experienced during his first NBA season: first against Devin Vassell, then against veteran Kelly Olynyk. 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