Prospect Profile: Matt Bryant (2019 La Center/Oregon Basketball Club)
Shooter! It’s a word that Matt Bryant often hears on the basketball court. The lanky 6-foot-4, 170-pound guard from La Center isn’t afraid to get the ball up from long range and he’s getting a chance this spring and summer to do it on the AAU circuit with the Oregon Basketball Club.
“It’s been really fun getting the experience to play against better teams and getting to trave around,” Bryant said. “It’s fun getting exposure and playing against better players.”
This is Bryant’s first time playing this level of competition outside of high school. This past weekend at both the Oregon High Academic Showcase and The Hoop Memorial Day Classic, he showed off a quick release jumper and deep range past the college three-point line. Bryant continues to hone his craft under the tutelage of OBC coach Donald Wilson.
“Coach Donald, he really wants me spacing the court and running,” Bryant said. “If I have space I can knock down the three. And if I can get a pump fake into a jumper – I’ve been working on that into my game. I’m also just trying to get stronger so I can drive better and build up my game some more.”
Since this level of AAU ball has been fairly new to him, Bryant noted that he really hasn’t heard much yet from college coaches. That’s not to say he doesn’t have some ideas about what he’s looking for in a college program.
“I just one where I can get to play and get on the court,” Bryant said. “Obviously I’d love to play at the highest level I can play at but if I don’t get to play at all and just watch, I’d play at a lower level where I could play a lot. If I could work my way into anything, that would be awesome.”
For now, he’s just looking forward to playing more games this summer with OBC. “Really I want to get as strong as I can, be more consistent on my shooting, and just do what Donald (Wilson) wants me to do,” Bryant said. “Get the basics down.”