Former Corona Centennial star Carter Bryant drafted 14th overall in 2025 NBA Draft by San Antonio Spurs

Arizona freshman Carter Bryant, who played his high school ball across three schools in the CIF-Southern Section, is the newest member of the San Antonio Spurs. He was selected 14th overall to conclude the lottery picks of the 2025 NBA Draft.

As a senior and McDonald's All-American at Corona Centennial in 2023-24, Bryant averaged 17 points, nine rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game and was one of California's premier defensive stars. The Huskies went 21-14 against one of the hardest schedules in the nation and made the CIF-SS Open Division playoffs.

Bryant, who is not related to Kobe Bryant, was ranked as a high as a 5-star recruit by 247Sports' Composite Rankings and 20th in the Class of 2024 by ESPN.

Before transferring to Centennial, Bryant played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Fountain Valley and then went to Sage Hill. In one season at Sage Hill, Bryant averaged 22.1 points, 13.7 rebounds, 4.0 assist, 2.9 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game and led the Lightning to the CIF-Southern Section 4A finals.

Bryant picked Arizona out of 20 other schools to offer, including Duke and Gonzaga, but only played 19.2 minutes per game in his lone year of college. He did appear in all 37 games and started five of them. For the season he averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game shooting 46% from the field and 37% from three.

Despite his limited role at Arizona, Bryant remained a projected lottery pick essentially all season long and has been looked at as a high-upside combo forward whose defense will likely be NBA-ready long before his offense.

Aran Smith of nbadraft.net wrote in April: "Carter Bryant is a high-upside prospect with the physical tools and shooting potential that NBA teams covet in modern wings. He projects as a classic 'swing for the fences' first-round pick—likely to be taken in the 20s if he declares. His elite athleticism, improving jump shot, and defensive versatility make him a valuable long-term project. However, he’ll need to prove he can maintain effort, focus, and consistency over a full NBA season. If he lands in the right developmental environment, he has the tools to outperform his draft slot and develop into a starting-caliber wing…. Has 3-D potential to impact at the next level … Projected as a likely late first round pick based on his frame, athleticism and shooting potential."

Bryant rose up draft boards in the following weeks thanks in part to a strong performance at the NBA Draft Combine that included a 39.5-inch max vertical leap.

A standout athlete who can thrive in transition at the four and projects as an impact defender early in his career, Bryant may prove to be an excellent fit alongside Victor Wembanyama in the frontcourt and running with De'Aaron Fox in transition.

The Spurs also drafted Rutgers freshman and combo guard Dylan Harper second overall.