Bryant Thomas (203-C-1999, college: C-N) is a 25 year old 203cm forward from North Carolina playing his rookie season with Inter Bratislavia (Slovakia-Tipos SBL). He began his basketball career at South Mecklenburg high school. He then played a season at the University Of North Carolina-Charlotte. He then played at Carson-Newman University (NCAA2) from 2019-2023 averaging 10.1ppg, 7.8rpg, 2.1bpg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 72.5% and 14.6ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.2apg, 2.3bpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 23.5%, FT: 74.3% in his last 2 seasons. He spoke to germanhoops.combefore a ENBL game against Bamberg.

Thanks Bryant for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second pro season and first with Inter Bratislava (Slovakia-Tipos).What has it been like playing with this organization that has won 13 titles? What have you enjoyed most about the organization?

It’s great, historically they’ve been a winning team so I’m trying to help my team get back to that winning atmosphere.

After being in Serbia and Bulgaria, you now are playing in Slovakia. How have you taken in the culture of Bratislava? Is it like a culture shock compared to Charlotte, North Carolina ?

it’s been but yet I’m still trying to embrace it and enjoy the experience it’s not everyday you go to Slovakia so I´m definitely embracing it. it’s completely different from America forsure and of course North Carolina but it´s different and new but embracing it.

Inter Bratislava (Slovakia-Tipos) last won a title 5 years ago. Do you feel that need to win again from the organization? How high are the expectations?

Yeah of course winning a championship is always the main goal & expectations from everyone is always high because all teams a wants to win.

The club has a good mix of Americans and Slovakian players. What exactly is your role on the team? Are you something like the defensive anchor?

Defense is definitely is my strong suit but also catching and shooting and finishing around the rim will help my team on the offensive side.

What has it been like being teammates with Dontay Caruthers and Isaiah Cousins? How important is their veteran leadership and what do appreciate most about their games?

theyre cool individuals. They’re highspeed game style is great for our team and a player like myself. They add a winning atmosphere to our team and does what it takes to try to get us wins every night.

What has it been like being teammates with Justin Mccall? He is a great defensive player like you. How do you profit most from his game?

He is also a cool individual, he is a super athletic player and who can do a little bit of everything having a player on our team that can defend and do a little bit ofeverything is always great to play along side of.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 203cm center. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

Hmm…NBA comparisons maybe Pascal Siakam / Jaren Jackson / Evan Mobley.

You’re a scorer and rebounder and can block shots. What other strengths does your game incorporate?

Definitely catching and shooting.and my quickeness for my size gives me an advantage when I’m on the court

You’re a very good three point shooter. How would you describe the current development of your shot. Do you see yourself increasing your outside shooting volume in the future or does it depend on the situation and what the defense gives you?

Depends on what role my team needs for me but overtime I created a shot for myself and it just kind of took time to train to become a better shooter.

You’re an incredible defender and shot blocker. Where would you put your defensive game at the moment? Are you an elite defender yet or still working to become one?

I would say my defense is just something that kind of comes natural for me when in doubt I know I can always rely on my defense

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

Becoming more of a consistent shooter and also more turnaround shots from the post and in the paint

Last season you played with BC Spartak Pleven (Bulgaria-NBL) averaging 9.9ppg, 5.4rpg, Blocks-2 (1.3bpg), FGP: 64.1%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 74.5%; and in the ENBL averaged 11.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 65.2%, 3PT: 45.5%, FT: 73.3%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

Umm a wake up call would be me traveling to tarty playing in a different country for the first time

You had an incredible 20/9 game against Cherno More with 8 blocks. Could you imagine ever achieving a triple double with blocks?

Yeah I could imagine it I used to get triple doubles with blocks in high school haha

What was it like being teammates with ex NBA player Rodney Purvis? Did you guys gel well? Your both from North Carolina.

He was cool. A great scorer

You played 2 seasons at the The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (NCAA) playing 10 games. Despite not playing many games, what positives did you get from this experience?

Just the college experience playing division 1 it was all a learning experience honestly I was fairly new to the game.

You played at Carson-Newman University (NCAA2) from 2019-2023. You improved your scoring each season. How did you grow as a player there? What kind of player were you when you arrived and what player when you left?

Through my head coach their simplifying the game for me. I didn’t really have a game at the time. I was athletic could play defense and could hit a open shot here and there but I worked created an inside game there. I had a feel for the game at the time when I first started but didn’t have a solidified game.

You won the SAC title in 2021. What memories do you have of that run and what was so special about the team?

It was great we had players that all excelled in their role and did their role perfect that led us to win the conference championship that was a surreal moment for sure.

You had many great games against Lees-Mcrae, Wingate and Mars Hill. What was your greatest game in the NCAA?

Wingate for sure. I was feeling good I felt like no one could guard me lol

How did head coach Chuck Benson groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

I would say he did a good job.. More of the aspects of knowing how to be successful at doing little as things that means much later in life than just basketball. Those characteristics I built helped me become who I am today without even knowing it at the time.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Ivan Hadzic?

We used to play 1-1 in the post multiple times. Ivan had his days and I had mine.

Who is the best player that you ever battled on the court that reached the NBA?

Coby White

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Ej bush

Tripp Davis

Ren Dyer

Luke Brenegan

Jon Davis

Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe Bryant

Kevin Durant

Stephen Curry

Hakeem olajuwon

Giannis

Who is your GOAT?

Kobe Bryant

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I haven’t seen the part 2 but I definitely think they should left it alone everything doesn’t need a sequel.

Thanks Bryant for the chat.