Tracking Glory with Hal Martin
April 16, 2013
Vandy earns top seed in playoffs; 8 locals qualify
April 16, 2013
In just 10 simple words, LSU sophomore forward Johnny O’Bryant turned last Wednesday into a wonderful day for the Tigers’ men’s basketball program and its fans.
“I’ve decided to return to LSU for my junior year,” O’Bryant said in front of a podium on the Baton Rouge campus.
LSU exhales in jubilation.
The All-SEC forward ended speculation about his future this week when he announced he would play at least one more season of college ball.
O’Bryant’s return is a huge coup for the Tigers’ 2013-14 squad. The 6-foot, 9-inch forward averaged 13.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game last season – enough to be an All-SEC selection.
His return, combined with one of the best recruiting classes in America, should make the Tigers one of the favorites to win the SEC next season.
“My family and I just thought it was the best decision for me to stay,” O’Bryant said. “We will have a great team next year. I will have better opportunities to grow as a player, so we decided to stay.”
“We are extremely excited about Johnny returning and being a part of our team next season,” LSU men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones added. “The impact that Johnny has made on our team this year and the attention he received in the later parts of the season speak volumes about his future.”
O’Bryant chose one more season with the Tigers over an almost-certain spot on an NBA roster.
The standout forward said before making his decision, he sought information about his draft stock from Jones and others connected to the NBA.
He said the feedback he heard was “great”.
But both the player and his coach said when the final decision was made, they believed the appropriate next step would be an additional year of development.
“I think it is a sign of maturity for him to process that type of information in a timely fashion and to come to a decision that he will need to be here to continue his growth,” Jones said. “I think when you have an opportunity to have the type of option that he had because of the positive feedback he received, I think that says a lot about this basketball team and the program moving forward.”
With at least another 12 months left in the college game, O’Bryant said he would focus on polishing all areas of his craft – on and off the floor.
On the floor, O’Bryant said he wants to be more prolific offensive player.
“I am always trying to master my craft,” he said. “I am going to try to work at everything – shooting, ball handling, knocking down shots and free throws.”
Off the floor, O’Bryant said he aims to take a leadership role next season. He pointed to Louisville’s national championship squad as the model he wants LSU to follow in 2013-14: a team with multiple scorers and camaraderie of brothers.
“I just have to be a better leader,” O’Bryant said. “I want to be a better leader. I want to improve on my conditioning, being in the best shape as possible next year, while just continuing to stay consistent.”
Returning to a team with an opportunity for success was a big reason for O’Bryant’s return to Baton Rouge.
The Tigers will return five of their top six scorers from last year’s squad that won 19 games.
Joining O’Bryant will be guard Anthony Hickey, Malik Morgan and Andre Stringer.
Former Thibodaux High School standout Shavon Coleman will also be back and he figures to play alongside O’Bryant in the paint.
The returnees will be aided by one of the best recruiting classes in the country – a group headlined by McDonald’s All-American Jarell Martin and consensus Top 100 prospects Jordan Mickey and Tim Quarterman.
“I’m always an unselfish guy,” O’Bryant said. “I definitely thought about the team next year. We will have a great team. … We have a good recruiting class. My job is to lead them in the right direction and show them that anything is possible through hard work.
“Jarrell is a great player. Jordan and Tim are great players. They are all great players. But the decision came down to what I had to do for myself and my family.”
Jones agreed and said the 2013-14 team scored its first victory of the season with O’Bryant’s return.
The coach shared his reaction when he heard the news for the first time.
“When he told me what he felt like his plans were, I was able to jump across the desk, put him in a big bear hug, cut his wind off for a little bit and I think I was able to express my excitement that way with him,” Jones said. “I think it’s great. He’s a system guy. He understands what we’re doing. He’s here. … I think this is big for us.”
