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Rivals is doing a whole series on the draft titled:
"Before They Were Stars"
and the 12th player to be featured is Patrick O'Bryant
It is premium coverage, but here is some of it:
"Before They Were Stars:
Patrick O'Bryant"
"Some are first-round locks, others second-round hopefuls.
Some have played for a National Championship, others never played for a conference title.
They are super seniors and fantastic freshmen.
They make up the talent pool ?along with several international players ?for this year's NBA Draft.
As part of its draft coverage, Rivals.com has ventured to find the stories behind the stories. We've targeted more than 60 draft eligible players ?some who could still return to college ?and we're attempting to talk with their former high school or prep school coaches.
We're looking for insight regarding where these players came from and what separates them from the rest of the crop. While some of the stories may be similar, some are sure to surprise.
Today we look at Bradley center Patrick O'Bryant.
O'Bryant made a name for himself in his sophomore season with a strong showing in the NCAA Tournament. Following a Bradley upset of No. 4 seed Kansas in which O'Bryant had 10 rebounds, he scored 28 points in a dominating effort to upset fifth-seeded Pittsburgh."
"Patrick O'Bryant
Position: Center
College: Bradley
Age: 19
Vitals: 7-foot-0, 260 pounds
High school: Blaine (Minn.)
Coach: Bill McKee
When was the first time you remember thinking Patrick eventually could play in the NBA?: He always had the length and he was a kid who improved every year. Sometimes with bigger kids their development is at a little different pace from other kids because they mature late.
After a dominating post-season performance, Patrick O'Bryant projects as a top center in the draft
Seeing his progression each year through high school and into college, the improvement was noticeable. When you have a player with the physical capabilities he does the sky's the limit, I guess.
When I first got him he was a sophomore and probably 6-8 and growing. But would I have projected him as NBA potential when I first laid eyes on him? No.
What's your fondest game memory of him?: He's a real genuine kid and he's humorous. That's the kind of memory I have.
I'd say his overall stats speak for themselves. He averaged 21 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots a game in a tough conference. I was always thinking he could be so much better once he got bigger and stronger and more athletic.
When's the last time you spoke to him?: Christmas break.
"Before They Were Stars"
and the 12th player to be featured is Patrick O'Bryant
It is premium coverage, but here is some of it:
"Before They Were Stars:
Patrick O'Bryant"
"Some are first-round locks, others second-round hopefuls.
Some have played for a National Championship, others never played for a conference title.
They are super seniors and fantastic freshmen.
They make up the talent pool ?along with several international players ?for this year's NBA Draft.
As part of its draft coverage, Rivals.com has ventured to find the stories behind the stories. We've targeted more than 60 draft eligible players ?some who could still return to college ?and we're attempting to talk with their former high school or prep school coaches.
We're looking for insight regarding where these players came from and what separates them from the rest of the crop. While some of the stories may be similar, some are sure to surprise.
Today we look at Bradley center Patrick O'Bryant.
O'Bryant made a name for himself in his sophomore season with a strong showing in the NCAA Tournament. Following a Bradley upset of No. 4 seed Kansas in which O'Bryant had 10 rebounds, he scored 28 points in a dominating effort to upset fifth-seeded Pittsburgh."
"Patrick O'Bryant
Position: Center
College: Bradley
Age: 19
Vitals: 7-foot-0, 260 pounds
High school: Blaine (Minn.)
Coach: Bill McKee
When was the first time you remember thinking Patrick eventually could play in the NBA?: He always had the length and he was a kid who improved every year. Sometimes with bigger kids their development is at a little different pace from other kids because they mature late.
After a dominating post-season performance, Patrick O'Bryant projects as a top center in the draft
Seeing his progression each year through high school and into college, the improvement was noticeable. When you have a player with the physical capabilities he does the sky's the limit, I guess.
When I first got him he was a sophomore and probably 6-8 and growing. But would I have projected him as NBA potential when I first laid eyes on him? No.
What's your fondest game memory of him?: He's a real genuine kid and he's humorous. That's the kind of memory I have.
I'd say his overall stats speak for themselves. He averaged 21 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots a game in a tough conference. I was always thinking he could be so much better once he got bigger and stronger and more athletic.
When's the last time you spoke to him?: Christmas break.
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