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PORTSMOUTH — Last year, Joe Bryant Jr. came to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament as a fan.
But this year, the Norfolk State star returned as a participant.
“Last year, I just wanted to watch and see what it feels like,” said Bryant, the two-time MEAC Player of the Year. “It’s definitely a blessing to be here. Now I just want to prove myself in front of NBA scouts. To be able to show my talents here is a blessing.”
The PIT is one of two NBA pre-draft events. It’s the oldest amateur basketball tournament in the United States, and since it began in 1953, college players have showcased their skills in front of NBA and other pro basketball scouts.
Bryant was originally listed as an alternate for the event. But last week, he received an email informing him he had been chosen.
“I had a lot of joy, I’m not going to lie,” Bryant said. “Just to play in front of the scouts, you don’t get many opportunities like this. It’s just an honor to have my foot in the door. Now it’s up to me to kick it down.”
Bryant has been making a name for himself since high school. He was a two-time first-team All-Tidewater pick at Lake Taylor High, where he helped lead the Titans to a Class 4 state title in 2018. Also on that team was Dereon Seabron, who plays for the New Orleans Pelicans on a two-way contract with the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League.
Bryant is trying to join him in pro basketball after a memorable college career. He led Norfolk State to two MEAC Tournament titles and NCAA Tournament berths. In his final season, he averaged 17.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
He competed in two postseason all-star games. He was a co-MVP of the Reese’s College All-Star Game after he scored 22 points and grabbed six rebounds. The event, held by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, features the top seniors from NCAA Division I, Division II and Division III.
He also played in the second annual HBCU All-Star Game in Houston.
Now he’s at the PIT hoping to impress NBA scouts. Bryant, along with teammate Kris Bankston, are just the second and third NSU players to play in the event. The other was Kyle O’Quinn in 2012 — he eventually played in 473 NBA games with four teams.
“This is up there,” Bryant said about playing in the PIT. “You have the NBA scouts and agents, it’s a huge event and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
When Bryant was introduced prior to Wednesday’s game, he was greeted with loud applause, easily the loudest for any player that night.
“It meant a lot to see all these Spartan fans and Norfolk fans, but not just Norfolk fans, but 757 city fans,” he said. “It means a lot [to me] for them to come out and show support. They didn’t have to. I’m thankful for them.”
Norfolk State coach Robert Jones and Bryant’s father, Joe Sr., were sitting in the front row for Bryant’s PIT debut Wednesday night.
“The opportunity for him to get in this is tremendous,” Jones said. “And to have two from the same team shows the respect that we’re starting to get nationally. Sometimes we’re undervalued and underappreciated, but we have good players and good coaches.”
Jones, looking at the crowd that was still filing in — many to see Bryant — said Bryant has meant so much to Norfolk State.
“He has captivated the whole area,” he said. “And he did it the right way. As a freshman, he hardly played, to now being the two-time MEAC Player of the Year. Now he’s doing this. He’s done a tremendous job for us.”
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The elder Bryant remembers bringing his son to the PIT, including the first time at 6 years old.
“He’s homegrown talent. He lived like 15 minutes away from this gym,” he said. “He played in this [Churchland High] gym numerous times and won a region championship in this gym. This is great.”
When he learned his son was chosen to play, he didn’t know if he or his son was more excited.
“I started following the PIT on Twitter, and when his name finally popped up, I was so excited,” the elder Bryant said. “My co-workers could hear me screaming in my office. They came in running to check to see what was happening. I couldn’t sleep the next day.”
Before each game, Bryant said he gives his son the same speech: Make the most of the opportunity.
“Coming from an HBCU, you gotta take advantage of this opportunity,” he told his son. “You’re setting the standard for other HBCUs who don’t get invited to events like this. I told him to play smart, be comfortable, play the game the right way and have fun. Show that you belong.
“As a parent, I’m nervous as hell,” he said, laughing. “Every parent wants their child to do well, especially moments like these. This could be a life-changing opportunity for him and the family, if everything goes right.”
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On Wednesday night, Bryant finished with 13 points, six assists, three rebounds and a steal. In his second game on Thursday, he had nine points, seven rebounds and six assists.
He’s ready to see what the future holds.
He admits there is some pressure as he performs not only for NBA scouts, but also a chance to play for professional teams overseas and the G-League.
“Yes, there is some pressure because you just want to show them that HBCU players belong here,” he said. “But also no because I’ve been playing this game for a long time. It’s just another game. Only difference is the scouts. That’s the only thing.”
Larry Rubama, 757-446-2273, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com Follow @LHRubama on Twitter.
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PIT roundup, including schedule and ticket information. Page 3