When the San Antonio Spurs selected Carter Bryant with the 14th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, they weren’t just adding a versatile 6-foot-8 forward with upside, they were welcoming a young man whose life has been profoundly shaped by a culture few NBA players have experienced firsthand: the Deaf community.
Bryant, a California native and former Arizona Wildcat, grew up immersed in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture thanks to his maternal grandparents, both of whom are deaf. His mother, Sabrina Torres, is a certified sign language interpreter and a proud CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). For Bryant, this upbringing wasn’t just formative, it was foundational.
“I’m so proud of being a part of the Deaf community,” Bryant said in a recent interview. “I never saw it as a disability… it was a superpower.”
“I’m so proud of being a part of the deaf community… I never saw it as a disability… it was a superpower.”
– Spurs draft pick Carter Bryant on growing up with two deaf grandparents, and how they helped shape him 👏 pic.twitter.com/N5dCPActfo
— NBA (@NBA) June 28, 2025
Before Bryant could speak, he was signing. ASL was his first language, and his home was filled with expressive communication, visual storytelling, and a deep respect for Deaf identity. His grandfather, Michael “Doc” Torres, played basketball at Gallaudet University, the world’s only liberal arts university for the Deaf and hard of hearing, instilling in Bryant a love for the game and a reverence for the culture that raised him.
“They taught me early on that Deafness isn’t a disability; it’s an identity. A culture. A strength,” Bryant shared in a feature with Gallaudet University.
Bryant’s basketball journey began in Corona, California, where he starred at Centennial High School and earned McDonald’s All-American honors. He went on to play one season at the University of Arizona, showcasing his potential as a three-and-D wing with room to grow offensively. But beyond the stats and scouting reports, Bryant carried something intangible onto the court: a sense of purpose rooted in his family’s legacy.
His mother, Sabrina, has spoken about how Bryant’s work ethic and curiosity were evident from a young age.
“He would always ask, ‘If I did this, can I be that?’” she recalled. “He would continuously ask, ‘Do you think if I put in work every day I could be as good as Kobe?’”
Bryant’s draft night wasn’t just a personal milestone, it was a moment of visibility for the Deaf and CODA communities. Fluent in ASL and proud of his heritage, Bryant has already partnered with Gallaudet University to promote Deaf awareness and inclusion. He hopes to use his platform to amplify voices that are often overlooked in professional sports.
“I’ve witnessed firsthand how Deaf people communicate with clarity, expression, and heart,” he said. “That’s why I’m proud to represent them.”
With the Spurs, Bryant joins a young, dynamic roster led by Victor Wembanyama and fellow rookie Dylan Harper. While he’ll need time to develop his offensive game, his defensive instincts, size, and maturity make him a strong fit for the Spurs’ culture.
But perhaps more importantly, Bryant brings a unique perspective. One that reminds us that greatness isn’t just measured in points and rebounds, but in the stories we carry and the communities we uplift.
