2015 McDonald’s All-American Thomas Bryant recaps IU visit, talks recruitment
This past Saturday, 2015 four-star center Thomas Bryant made his second trip to Bloomington this school year in time for Indiana’s regular season finale against Michigan State.
Bryant on Monday night told Inside the Hall that he enjoyed his weekend visit to Bloomington, and that the Hoosiers remain “one of my final schools.”
“I thought it was great,” Bryant said. “Great atmosphere, the people treated you like their own. Great people there.”
Indiana has long made the 6-foot-10, 240 pound Bryant a priority in the 2015 recruiting class, offering him a scholarship this past summer and hosting him for an official visit in October. The Hoosiers almost had him on campus just a week later for Hoosier Hysteria, but he was ill and could not attend.
But following his senior season at Huntington Prep (W.V.) in which he averaged 17.3 points, 11.6 rebounds, 4.5 blocks and 2.5 steals per game and received invitations to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic, Bryant chose to come back to Bloomington for an unofficial visit for the Hoosiers’ last home game of the season.
Wearing a grey Indiana shirt, Bryant received multiple ovations from fans in attendance on Saturday. And as he walked off Branch McCracken Court after the game, Bryant raised his hand to acknowledge the Hoosiers fans cheering him on.
“It was great,” he said. “It makes you feel wanted and feel great about things and that school.”
Bryant said the Hoosiers stand out in his recruitment on many levels — stemming from the fact that “they need a player like me and I could have a major impact as well.”
He also mentioned that he “loves” the players and coaches at Indiana, especially the message that Hoosiers coach Tom Crean has echoed to him throughout his recruitment.
“Coach Crean told me he would utilize me as soon as possible and that he won’t have me long and that I’ll have to work,” Bryant said. “But I love hard work. It makes it that much better and sweeter.”
Although a college decision is not imminent, Bryant said one will come “hopefully soon” and that playing immediately will be a factor. He also confirmed that his final four is Indiana, Syracuse, Kentucky and Missouri.
But when it comes to when he makes his decision, he said the Hoosiers will be right there in contention.
“I see myself fitting in there really well,” he said. “They’re of course one of my final schools.”
Filed to: Thomas Bryant