The calling card of Darryl “Truck” Bryant’s career has been his acumen as a physical and shut down on-ball defender. After last season in the Czech Republic, people may start to view him differently.
The Brooklyn native and former St. Raymond star led the NBL League in scoring with BK Kolin at 19.4 points per game. Bryant was well ahead of second leading scorer Donald Robinson of J. Hradec, who finished the year with 18.5 points per contest. Bryant averaged 16.9 points per contest his senior season at West Virginia after no more than 11 the three years prior.
“It’s great when you can put all of them together, being known for defense and scoring,” Bryant said after a game at the Entertainers Basketball Classic at Rucker Park. “It’s great to lead the league in scoring.”
He enjoyed playing in the team’s open and up-tempo, pick-and-roll style. It is one of the reasons he chose to play there midway through the season in December. Before that Bryant was just sitting on his couch hoping and waiting for the right opportunity to arise. He found that in BK Kolin.
“I was homing waiting for a job, so I went there with one thing on my mind and that is to dominate,” Bryant said. “An opportunity came and I went out there and did what I do.”
Bryant was also seventh in the league in assists with 4.0 per game, and led the league in free throws made by shooting 86 percent. His best game came against Usti on Jan 3. The former West Virginia guard scored 33 points, dish out six assists and grabbed five rebounds in the contest. He shot 13 of 16 from the field and 6-for-9 at the free throw line.
His play has certainly caught people’s attention. Bryant, who doesn’t plan on returning to Kolin, said after his 2013 season in Austria just three agents contacted him about his services. Following year he had 14 reach out. Bryant is hoping to head to Italy this fall.
“That just tells you that my name is out there in a good way,” Bryant said.
It didn’t hurt he helped turned BK Kolin into a more formidable opponent. The team was 5–13 before his arrival. Once Bryant joined the club it went 10–12 and finished the year 15-25. The way BK Kolin transformed with Bryant running the point is something he takes pride in.
“That means more than the scoring to me,” he said. “I’m a winner at heart so that means more.”
Until his next destination is set, Bryant will concentrate on winning on the streetball courts of New York City. He has enjoyed playing in the tournaments on a more regular basis the last two years. Bryant is on Team Montana, one of the Entertainers Basketball Classic’s top clubs and has a legitimate shot at a crown.
“That would mean a lot,” Bryant said. “Going back to Europe I’d be back to winning in a positive mind set. That’s what I want.”
