Bryan’s leap of faith

Jamaican basketballer Christeina Bryan’s journey to the top division of college basketball has been defined by taking a leap of faith, a lesson she looks to apply as she continues to test herself against the best.

Bryan is preparing for her first season in the NCAA Division One with Georgia State University, after two years at Arizona Western College (AWC), a junior college where she helped the school to a National Junior College Athletics Association (NCJAA) Region 1 title last season and appearances in the national play-offs.

The end of her final season last March not only represented the end of an experience that she called life-changing, but the beginning of a new one with Georgia State, one that she felt that was necessary to continue her growth as a player and person.

“I chose Georgia State because I trusted that in this moment of growth, that’s where I’m supposed to be. It’s really personal for me as I am developing spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally. Because no matter how great I am as a player, I have to bring myself to a strong mental state to keep going,” Bryan told The Gleaner.

Bryan’s introduction to the sport came very late during her days at Camperdown High School as netball was her first love and she represented Jamaica at the youth level. While she excelled at that sport, she was approached to make the switch.

“Growing up in St Thomas I never had a clue what basketball was until I started attending Camperdown where I was introduced to the sport,” Bryan said. “With all the talent and knowledge from netball, I was asked to play basketball for Camperdown. Ever since I started playing basketball I developed a new me, the sport became my life.”

COACH’S IMPACT

A part of her development was the impact that head coach Nyron Hurd had on her growth and improvement during her school years. However, her own future and faith would be tested as the start of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago brought uncertainty as to where her basketball journey would take her. But it was a highlight reel video that would provide that opportunity that she longed for at Arizona Western that fall.

“I had no clue that I would be where I am today if it wasn’t for coach Hurd who took the time out and created a highlight (basketball video) of me playing,” Bryan recalled. “I remember praying and crying out to God about how hopeless I felt at the time, I told him everything that was on my mind and in my heart. The day after that my phone was blowing up with different coaches wanting to speak with me. I had no clue what to say or how to project myself,” Bryan said.

“Despite Arizona being so far I knew that’s where I was supposed to be. The team I played for felt like home. My teammates were more like my sisters and my coaches were like my parents. I felt loved, I felt appreciated and I was pushed twice as hard to play to their level of expectations of me. I cried so much (after last season) because I knew it was the end of me playing for the people who gave me the life-changing opportunity I needed.”

Bryan finished last season averaging 10.2 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game helping her school register 30 wins and a national tournament play-off appearance. She will begin her division-one season next month, but Bryan has higher aspirations with the goal of making it to the WNBA, fuelled by drive and faith.

“This opportunity has changed my life, path and journey so much and I am so happy and thankful for it. I’m the first Jamaican woman to play basketball for Arizona Western College, and Georgia State University. And I definitely will be the first Jamaican woman from Pondside, Yallahs, St Thomas to be drafted and play in the WNBA in 2025. I don’t want to be an ordinary player that people forget about. I am going to be extraordinary for whatever will be placed in front or behind my name I will not change who I am or the legacy that will be within my name.” Bryan declared.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com