Feb. 17, 2003
Junior Travon Bryant has had an interesting trek through the first three years of his college basketball career. From joining the Tigers in the middle of his freshman season, to traveling to Europe with the Big 12 All-Star team this past summer, Travon continues to be ... well ... Travon. The likeable lefty sat down with Samantha Kilgore and talked about learning his role, achieving a goal and doing what it takes to reach the Final Four in this edition of Tiger Q&A.
Q:Who would you say has been your greatest influence, personally and athletically?
A: "Personally, it'd have to be my mother and my brother for the simple fact that basketball wasn't one of my sports. But when I decided to play, they decided to push me and I thank them every time I have a chance to. Athletically, I'd have to say my brother as well. He played college ball, and every time I used to go to a college basketball game I got this great feeling watching him out there doing the same thing I wanted to do."
Q: Other than basketball, which takes up a large portion of your time, what interests you? Are there any hobbies or past-times? A: "My hobbies are video games and music. Whenever school's not taking up my time, and I'm not studying or anything else, it's pretty much video games and music for me." Q: Do you have a favorite game right now?
A: "NCAA College Basketball 2003 and Vice City.
Q: Pre-game, do you have any rituals or superstitions? A: "Superstitions. I put everything on the left side on first since I'm left handed. I've been doing that ever since high school, and that's the one thing I try to follow every game."
Q: You came in a McDonald's All-American. With everything that comes along with that and having that brought back up this season, have you felt a lot of pressure to perform and step up?
A: "At the beginning I did, but I haven't let that get to me the last couple games. I've just been trying to go out there and provide what the team needs. A lot of people bring it up, but that's the past and I just try to be a different player now. Obviously in high school I had to score a lot of points for my team to win, but now that's not the situation. Now I've just got to do the little things: rebound, play defense, whatever coach wants me to do."
Q: This year you've stepped up your outside game and your defensive game a lot. What do you attribute that to?
A: "I try to focus on doing those things well. Obviously during the off-season, I worked on ball handling and my shooting and a lot of other different things. My defense ... that's me getting in better shape and becoming more focused on playing better position defense instead of relying on athleticism to try to block a shot. Now I just worry about playing great position defense."
Q: Starting off, this team looked like it was well-balanced. Now depth is an issue and you're kind of struggling position-wise again. How do you think that's going to play out in the Big 12 and in post season?
A: "I think we're going to be fine. Honestly once we get Josh [Kroenke] back and healthy we'll be a good team; a more balanced team from last year's team for the simple fact that we went through a lot last year and the key guys are back that went through a majority of that stuff. I think we're just going to learn from our mistakes last year and in this season and not fall into that same place we did."
Q: Is there anything that the fans in the stands don't see that you wish they could see or know about you?
A: "I think the way I am on the court is the same way I am off the court. If you came up and talked to me, I'm just a low key guy."