Recruiting Report: Joe Bryant (2018
One of the best parts about basketball, at least to this journalist, is that despite what people think basketball players come in all shapes an sizes. Lake Taylor point guard Joe Bryant is a testament to that. At 6’0” with a stocky frame, Bryant looks like he’s more suited to hit the hole as a running or linebacker than he is to handle pressure or run the pick-and-roll.
Once you see Bryant on the court however, your eyes will open up quickly. That’s what happened to Norfolk State and Hampton, who offered him before his junior season started, and is the reason he is seeing serious interest from Longwood, JMU, ECU and Kent State.
Surprisingly shifty for his size, Bryant is great in downhill situations where he’s able to use his size to keep his defenders at bay once he gets his shoulders past them. He’s improved his jump shot and is now able to score at all three levels off the bounce.
Even with his good skill set and strength on both ends at his position, it’s Bryant’s mentality that separates him from other talented guards in the 757 area.
“I just want to prove that I’m able to play on a high level and come out and compete against the best,” Bryant said. “I think I’ve got more heart than everybody. I’m a little smaller than everybody, so I have to play aggressive on the defensive end and play my game.”
After helping Lake Taylor reach the state championship as a sophomore, Bryant had a stellar summer with Boo Williams last season. The Titans fell to Smithfield in heartbreaking fashion in the 4A East quarterfinals this season, but he played well enough to earn Second Team All State honors and pick up more interest heading into his final summer of grassroots basketball.
Bryant decided to make the move to Team Loaded 757, taking him off the EYBL Circuit but making him a go-to guy on one of the best non circuit teams in the state. For coaches who are looking for strong lead guards who cause mismatch problems, Bryant certainly fits that mold and should see more schools come into play for him this summer.
When it comes time to make his decision, it’s simply about the right situation both on and off the basketball court for him.
“My biggest thing is academics,” Bryant didn’t hesitate to say. “On the court, it’s mainly style of play. I want to go somewhere that is fast, I can get up and down and just play.”
Be sure to check out Bryant and Team Loaded 757 at the Hoop Group Spring Jamfest this weekend at Spooky Nook in Lancaster, PA, or at the Hoop Group Pitt Jamfest in Pittsburgh next weekend.