Feb. 21, 2001

By Andy Heck
MU Media Relations

One thing respectable about Travon Bryant is his honesty. In this day and age where athletes seem to find their sport as merely a way of showing off their skills, and if the team happens to win, that is all for the better, it is refreshing to have an athlete who truly cares about improving his team as well as himself. In Bryant, a 6-foot-9 freshman forward, Missouri has one of these special athletes.

"I pretty much rate my success this season as probably around a C. I know that I could have come in in better shape and I know I could put more out on the court and played harder," said Bryant who missed the first half of the season while at a prep school.

Bryant was one of the most highly regarded prep players. He averaged 26 points and 16 rebounds per game on his way to being selected for the McDonald's All-American game, the highest honor for a high school player.

The game was played in Boston's Fleet Center where Bryant got to meet legendary coaches John Wooden and Red Auerbach along with Hall-of-Famer Kevin McHale.

"The day before the game we had a scrimmage and I had around 16 or 17 points. I played pretty well. Red Auerbach came up to me and he told me `you didn't play hard enough.' I was like `what are you talking about?' I had 17 points but the guy coached Bob Cousy and Bill Russell so I guess I better listen to him," said Bryant, the first McDonald's All-American to attend Missouri since Anthony Peeler.

Despite all of his high school success, Bryant is not frustrated with his numbers or playing time this season.

"I didn't expect to come in and put up 26 points. I mean it would have been nice, but I know I have to contribute anyway I can," said Bryant. "As long as I am making an impact on the game, I'll be happy."

Bryant was going to initially enroll at MU as a partial qualifier because he did not receive a qualifying SAT score. Bryant would have lost a year of eligibility had he done that. Instead, he enrolled at Maine Central Institute, which has produced NBA players such as Sam Cassell, and attained the needed test score in October. "I wanted to play this year. I wanted to be a part of what's going on this year."

Bryant spent the first semester at MCI, a prep school where Bryant not only could work on his game, but also his test score.

"It's just like being around high school all over again. One unique thing about MCI is the international kids," Bryant said. "It's nothing like Columbia. I was in the middle of nowhere and knew I belonged here. That fact made it more frustrating and made me realize how important it was to get things done on time."

The biggest challenge for Bryant has been being a semester behind the other players on the court.

"Since I've been here it has been a learning process because the guys are so much ahead of me and all I can do is listen and take it from there," he said. "As long as I know that I go out there and make progress everyday that's a great feeling."

The biggest struggle for Bryant has been adjusting to the speed of the college game and relearning the basics.

"You learn so many things in high school, but when you are like the star player in the area, you pretty much can get away with anything," he said. "You can just use your athleticism. Now, you have to keep complete focus on the court or else you are gonna get beat."

While Columbia is few miles and climates removed from Long Beach, Bryant likes his new home.

"There is a big difference. The people are nicer out here. They come at you with open arms," he said, breaking into a smile. "I just love the campus environment. The people are interested in who you are."

"Coach `Q' and the rest of the Mizzou staff stuck by me. They had complete confidence, even though I was struggling with my test score," he continued. "They had complete confidence I would get it. That was a good thing. They stuck by me and that's one great thing about this coaching staff."

Bryant's older brother D'Cean played at Long Beach State and began pushing Travon on the court when they were kids after their parents separated.

"Out in California, basketball can get you out of a tough situation and into a better situation," he said.

"I'll accept the fact I missed all that time and that I have to make it up with hard work," said Bryant, who puts in extra work with associate head coach Tony Harvey before each game. "I didn't get this far without hard work."

Academically, Bryant has yet to decide on a major. He is considering journalism or communication.

"Who knows, I may just be the next Jay Bilas," said Bryant, flashing his boyish smile. Bryant has shown the ability to overcome various obstacles to reach his goals and don't bet on him not making others in the future.