New IU big man Bryant: 'He can do just about everything'

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Juwan Morgan's eyes widened, and so did his toothy grin.

"I did not know he could shoot like that," Morgan said, speaking with reporters after the annual Derby Festival Basketball Classic.

The question had been asked: What have you learned this week about your teammate and fellow 2015 Indiana commitment, Thomas Bryant? Morgan, it seemed, was doing the same catching up IU fans across the country were with Bryant.

Still learning just what they can expect from the Hoosiers' latest McDonald's All American, those fans — like Morgan — appear to have reason to smile.

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When Thomas Bryant sat behind Indiana's bench on March 7, he represented the collision of two futures.

There were those who wanted — and some who even believed — coach Tom Crean's departure to be imminent. Others saw potential, in a slew of talented guards and wings only needing a post presence to push them back into Big Ten contention.

The dream was to land a post presence like the one sitting behind Indiana's bench, wearing a gray t-shirt with the word "HOOSIERS" splashed across the chest in crimson.

In reality, a coaching change was never close in Bloomington. Crean retained the firm support of his boss, athletic director Fred Glass. That backing helped him land an elite player at the position where one was needed most.

"Indiana fans should be excited," said DraftExpress's Jonathan Givony.

Bryant unfurls to 6-10 with a 7-6 wing span, carrying a 220-pound frame begging for more muscle. He's an all-American forward with a reputation for toughness, as willing to fight in the post for rebounds and blocks as he is to run the floor for easy transition dunks. He's not yet 18, and yes, he can shoot.

Six years ago, Bryant wasn't this physically imposing, high-ceiling prospect. He was 6-1 — talented, but still 6-1 — and playing two grades up with the Bishop Kearney freshman team in his hometown of Rochester, N.Y.

There, under coach Jon Boon, Bryant began to grow, physically and otherwise.

Within four years, he had sprouted eight inches. Working with Boon and a personal trainer, his coordination and agility caught up.

"He used to run real stiff," Boon said. "We had to get him to bend his knees and lift his knees up."

Despite his size, Bryant wasn't needed inside — current Syracuse center Chinonso Obokoh anchored the Kings in the post. So Bryant developed that shooting touch.

"He played kind of more on the perimeter when I had him, because he kind of had that skill set and hadn't quite filled out," Boon said.

After winning a state title in his sophomore season, Bryant left Bishop Kearney and left home, transferring to Huntington Prep in West Virginia.

Leaving was tough on him and his mother, Linda, a single parent who according to Boon "works a lot of hours to try to be able to provide for him. She did a great job of raising him to be respectful."

But Bryant wanted an environment that would prepare him for college academically, while pitting him against "elite-level talent," according to Oswald Cross, a coach in Bryant's AAU program who the player describes as "a mentor."

"It prepared him," Cross said. "He's going to be ready for college."

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Bryant committed to Indiana on April 4, the day the Final Four began. He made his announcement on ESPN, saying "Indiana was just the best decision for me."

In truth, he'd known shortly after that end-of-season visit to Bloomington, his second since the fall. Speaking after the Derby Classic, he cited three factors:

IU's need for a player at his position.

Crean's success developing Cody Zeller and Noah Vonleh

The program's persistence in recruiting him as key.

"I knew it a few days after my visit there," Bryant said. "I knew Indiana was the best fit for me."

Fast forward to mid-April, in a darkened and quarter-full Freedom Hall.

Bryant was matched up with Diamond Stone, a blue-chip center destined for Maryland (and a rematch with Bryant next winter). Stone hit two quick 3-pointers, pushing his team ahead.

But then Bryant cracked down. He posted Stone up at one end of the floor, and threw his body into him at the other. All-star games aren't often marked by committed defense, but Bryant wanted to make Stone work.

Stone shot just 2-of-8 the rest of the evening.

"(Bryant) is a great competitor and he's refreshing, because he brings an old school passion and competitiveness to the court," said Jerry Meyer, director of basketball scouting for 247Sports. "He's a grinder."

As Stone faded, Bryant sharpened. By the end of the night, he Bryant had 19 points, six boards, a team MVP award and a win.

His versatility wowed Morgan, and other future teammates — Troy Williams, Robert Johnson and Devin Davis made the drive down — but it didn't shock his former coaches, or opponents.

As head coach at Tech, Jason Delaney had to prepare for Bryant and Huntington three times in the last two seasons. When he was a junior, Tech attacked Bryant with 2014 IndyStar Mr. Basketball Trey Lyles, pulling him away from the paint in an effort to limit his impact.

But his time at Huntington allowed Bryant to develop the back-to-the-basket game he never needed at Bishop Kearney. Last December, when the Titans and Fighting Irish met again, Bryant scored 19 points and added 10 rebounds and five blocks. His team won, 88-59.

"He can do just about everything," Delaney said. "He's a huge get for IU, because it's a true post presence who can do all those things. With the guards that they have, it will open up a lot of things."

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Is it possible for Bryant to be undervalued? Both Givony and Meyer believe so, the latter suggesting Bryant might climb as high as the top 15 nationally in his final class of 2015 rankings (he sits at No. 30 right now).

Bryant won't campaign for a starting spot next season, but he appears to be exactly what the Hoosiers need.

When Givony watched Bryant at the Nike Hoop Summit, he saw a player more advanced than the big men ranked higher in his class. And when Meyer saw him last month at McDonald's All American Game practices, he gleaned the same.

"He's as good as any of those guys, if not better," Meyer said. Givony suggested Bryant might be a "steal," heady praise for a player already so nationally recognized.

Some of "those guys" will join Bryant in the Big Ten next season, Stone (Maryland), Daniel Giddens (Ohio State) and 2015 IndyStar Mr. Basketball Caleb Swanigan (Homestead/Michigan State) in particular. Bryant wants the talented core of guards who led Indiana to a 20-win season despite inconsistent post play to return around him. He's got his mind on one especially.

"Stay, please, just one more year," he said, laughing, when asked what he would say to junior guard Yogi Ferrell.

Ferrell plans to announce whether he will return to Indiana for his senior season on April 25.

"I wanted to play with him and Troy," Bryant said. "I'm glad Troy is staying. Hopefully, Yogi will stay."

If he does, Indiana will almost surely be a top-15 team, and one of the favorites to win the Big Ten. That's the change in expectations Bryant brings to Bloomington.

He hasn't signed his letter of intent yet — which means Crean can't talk about him publicly — but Bryant said he plans to make his commitment official "real soon." When his school year ends at Huntington, he'll make his way to Bloomington, where all of his teammates can learn together just what their new big man is capable of.

For now, one thing is certain.

Midway through that interview after the Derby Classic, Johnson and Williams sidled up to the back of the media scrum surrounding Bryant. One held an iPhone like a camera, as Williams called out, "Robert Johnson has a question."

"How does it feel to be a Hoosier?" Johnson asked a beaming Bryant.

"Man," he replied, surely speaking for more people than just himself. "It feels good as hell."

Follow Star reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.

THOMAS BRYANT

Height/weight: 6-10, 220 pounds

High school: Huntington (W.V.) Prep (from Rochester, N.Y.)

Last season: In his senior season at Huntington Prep, Bryant averaged 17.3 points, 11.6 rebounds and 4.5 blocked shots per game. He finished with 27, 19 and four in his team's quarterfinal victory in high school nationals earlier this month.

Picking the Hoosiers: Bryant had offers from several high-major programs, including Kansas, Villanova, West Virginia and Seton Hall, but eventually narrowed his list to IU, Kentucky, Missouri and Syracuse, before committing to Indiana.

Getting to know you: The Derby Classic was Bryant's first chance to meet future teammates Juwan Morgan and OG Anunoby, and the trio didn't waste time. "We just hung out, talked," Bryant said. "Every time we had some down time, we always ate together, hung out together."