Each day until the 2025 NBA Draft, Pippen Ain't Easy will profile one prospect who makes sense as a fit for the Bulls in either the first or second round. These players could fill a need, such as on-ball defense or rim protection, or could fit an archetype that Chicago lacks on its current roster, like an athletic big man or 3-and-D wing.
We've reached the LeBron James of 3-and-D draft prospects—Arizona's Carter Bryant. While drafting a 3-and-D player with the 12th overall selection doesn't inspire a ton of confidence, there's plenty more to Carter than spot-up triples and quality defense.
However, he didn't receive much of, if any, opportunity to elevate his game beyond a 3-and-D role playing for Tommy Lloyd's veteran-laden Wildcat squad. Bryant averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.0 blocks in only 19.3 minutes per contest. Bryant only started five of 37 games and played the seventh-most minutes on his team.
With that being said, how is Bryant even on the map? For starters, he measured 6-foot-6 and a half barefoot and 215 pounds with a nearly 7-foot wingspan at the NBA Draft Combine. Furthermore, he recorded a 39.5-inch max vertical leap (fourth-best) and a 30.5-inch standing vertical (eighth-best). Lastly, the forward was one of the fastest players to attend the combine, running a 3.07-second three-quarter court sprint, the fifth-best time.
Carter Bryant's scouting report
The 19-year-old tested better than most prospects. That, combined with excellent efficiency and impressive per-40-minute statistics, makes for a compelling lottery case. Still, not many collegians are lottery picks with such minor production.
Offense
In a lower usage role at Arizona, Bryant didn't need the ball in his hands to be effective. He excelled off-ball as a cutter and spot-up shooter. Bryant moves very well away from the ball. He scored numerous times off timely cuts. Although not a center, the 6-foot-6 forward is a viable lob threat. Many times, Bryant would cut baseline to receive a lob before throwing it down. Despite not operating in the paint, he'd routinely rise up off two feet to convert dunks.
The 6-foot-6 wing shot 37.1 percent on triples this past season. However, he didn't shoot a lot of them. Bryant averaged merely 2.8 attempts per contest. He knocked down 39 of 105 three-point attempts at Arizona. Still, his mechanics are solid, although a bit rigid. He elevates well and utilizes an unblockable, high-release point.
What's concerning is he didn't add much off-the-dribble. Of course, that wasn't his role in Tucson. He was purely a catch-and-shoot wing. Nonetheless, his pull-up jumper looks promising. He elevates so well and can get his shot off over just about any defender, but his handle is rudimentary. At this point, Bryant is merely a straight-line driver and typically resorts to shooting contested jumpers due to a lack of space creation.
As mentioned throughout, Carter isn't flashy with the ball in his hands, nor will he get past his defender using a shifty handle. What he has demonstrated as a playmaker is encouraging connective passing. Bryant recorded 36 assists to 37 turnovers in his lone collegiate season. At times, he was overzealous, striving to make a difficult pass. But he does possess the velocity to make such passes, and whenever he connected, his assists were highlight-worthy.
Circling back, Bryant's off-ball proficiency stood out in transition. As an uber-athletic 6-foot-6, Bryant gets up and down the floor like a gazelle. Whenever he goes coast-to-coast, under control, the scorekeeper might as well put two points on the board. Key word: under control. Bryant sometimes lost his luster when attacking in transition, either throwing up a wild layup or getting stymied at the rim due to a lack of creation.
Defense
Bryant's offensive upside is more of a question mark. However, his defense is for real. Averaging 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks per game is stellar. Averaging 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks in only 19.3 minutes is gripping. The 19-year-old totaled 2.8 steals and 2.9 blocks on a per-40-minute basis. Bryant's 2.8 steal and 5.8 block percentages are extraordinary. For instance, New Orleans Pelicans' All-NBA Defender Herb Jones posted a 3.4 and 4.0 steal and block percentage at Alabama, respectively.
Bryant combines all-world athleticism with tremendous anticipation. The former Wildcat would routinely intercept passes like a cornerback jumping a route. Bryant's 7-foot wingspan surely helps, but his defensive IQ is off-the-charts for a 19-year-old.
It's easy to be swooned by Bryant's anticipation, deflections, and interceptions, but his help-side shot-blocking is on another level. Bryant doesn't just bat shots away; he rejects shots into the third row. His verticality is impressive, and he's rather emphatic when he blocks a shot.
While fun, emphatically swatting a shot doesn't always result in a highlight. Bryant averaged 2.3 fouls per game, equating to 4.8 per 40 minutes. We used overzealous to describe Bryant's playmaking, which can also be said of his defense. Far too often, the California-native would get the itch to pick off a pass, running into his opposition or flailing to commit a dumb foul.
Bryant's terrific off-ball defense causes his on-ball defense to be overlooked, which is atypical of most forwards. Nevertheless, he's still an imposing on-ball defender. Bryant's combination of length and lateral quickness makes it difficult for guards and wings to get past him. He understands positioning well and has a strong sense of pre-recognition. Then again, back to his defensive playmaking, if his matchup does get by, he'll be trailing for a chase-down block or a steal.
Carter Bryant's fit with the Chicago Bulls
Not too long ago, Bryant was compared to former fourth-overall pick Patrick Williams. Months later, that comparison remains valid. Bryant averaged fewer points and steals than Williams, and averaged the same amount of blocks as the Florida State product. Yet Williams' 22.2 usage rate far exceeded Bryant's 16.4.
Selecting another collegiate role player who operated in an off-the-bench role isn't for the faint of heart, especially for the Chicago Bulls. Chicago swung and missed on Williams and, for some reason, re-signed him to a five-year, $90 million contract despite underwhelming production.
To add insult to injury, Williams and Bryant share nearly identical measurements. Although watching Williams now, his athleticism doesn't leap off the screen, it did at Florida State, like Bryant's at Arizona.
Bulls fans shouldn't necessarily be afraid of selecting Bryant with the 12th pick. Not all low-usage collegians' developments stall in the NBA. Jaren Jackson Jr. went from playing 21.8 minutes per game at Michigan State to winning Defensive Player of the Year as a 23-year-old.
Bryant's defensive potential shouldn't be likened to Jackson Jr.'s, but it is close. Bryant won't ever post gaudy shot-blocking numbers as a 6-foot-6 wing. Still, around a block per game is a boon for the Bulls. Not one Bull averaged a block per game a season ago—Buzelis led the team, averaging 0.9 per contest.
The thinking of adding any wing to Chicago's roster must include Buzelis. Who pairs well with a 6-foot-10, nimble athlete? A strong, shot-making wing is the answer. While Bryant's shooting remains a question mark, he's on the right path, and his potential is through the roof. A Bryant-Buzelis forward tandem is awe-inspiring on the defensive end.
For more prospect profiles and all things draft-related, check out Pippen Ain't Easy'sChicago Bulls draft page. A new prospect's scouting report will be added daily.