Thomas Bryant

Bryant is an American center who reached the NBA through the 2017 draft after a decorated two-year career at Indiana. A McDonald's All-American and third-team All-Big Ten selection, he has played for multiple franchises and earned an NBA championship ring with the Denver Nuggets in 2023.

Born Thomas Jermaine Bryant on July 31, 1997, he attended Bishop Kearney in New York, where he led the team to a 17–8 record and the 2013 New York Class AA Tournament crown. He transferred to Huntington Prep in West Virginia, where he averaged 13.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks as a junior and 17.3 points, 11.6 rebounds, 4.5 blocks, and 2.5 steals as a senior. He was ranked the 20th-best recruit in the 2015 class by ESPN.

Bryant committed to Indiana on April 4, 2015, during the Dick's Sporting Goods National Tournament on ESPN. He was the fifth consecutive McDonald's All-American recruited by Tom Crean. As a freshman, he averaged 11.9 points and 5.8 rebounds, was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team and Third Team All-Big Ten, and helped Indiana reach the NCAA Tournament. As a sophomore, he averaged 12.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks.

The Utah Jazz selected Bryant 42nd overall in the 2017 NBA draft and traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers. He signed his rookie-scale contract on July 30, 2017, but was waived on June 30, 2018. He was named to the All-NBA G League First Team with the South Bay Lakers.

On July 2, 2018, the Washington Wizards claimed Bryant off waivers. On December 22, 2018, he shot 14-of-14 and scored a career-high 31 points against Phoenix. He has since played for the Lakers, Nuggets, Heat, Pacers, and Cavaliers, winning the 2023 NBA championship with Denver.

Bryant functions as a stretch big with soft touch around the rim, three-point range, and shot-blocking ability. His Indiana tenure showcased a skilled big man with offensive versatility. In the NBA, his development centers on defensive consistency, rebounding, and providing interior scoring depth in reserve frontcourt roles.