UNR Hall Of Famer Eathan O’Bryant’s Communal Impact is Deeper Than Basketball
$200, a bag of sandwiches, an old pickup truck — the tools Eathan O’Bryant had as he and fellow athlete Daniel Watts traveled from Texas to the University of Nevada, Reno. “Eathan’s always done what’s necessary to get ahead and accomplish something,” says fellow Nevada Hall of Famer and well-known announcer Dan Gustin.
Gustin is, and always will be, in awe of Eathan’s determination.
“He didn’t fly here first class or have somebody drive him up. I was always very impressed with the effort he put forward just to try to get here.”
On Monday July 23, 2021, The University of Nevada, Reno announced the “Wolf Pack Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2021.” The University recognized former softball player Britton Murdock Nunn, former two-time men’s golf coach of the year Tom Duncan, and men’s basketball athlete Eathan O’Bryant.
After two years at Dixie College, O’Bryant transferred to UNR for the 1993–94 and 1994–95 seasons. He received second-team All-Big West honors at the end of his 1994 season and All-Big West first-team in 1995 and remains one of the most popular players in school history for his work on and off the court.
O’Bryant averaged 11.2 points per game, 7.6 assists per game, and 2.5 steals per game in a little under 38 minutes a game and was more of a quarterback in his eyes than a point guard.
“I think any true point guard is like a quarterback,” said O’Bryant. “My job essentially was to drop back and give these guys the basketball. I loved making that happen for people.”
He is tied for third in career assists in just two seasons with the Wolfpack. Eathan tied the school record in 1994 with 16 assists against UC Irvine. He also led his conference in steals per game.
After college, O’Bryant, like every other starry-eyed college ballplayer, had dreams of playing in the NBA.
“Everybody who plays basketball has a dream to play in the NBA… those were my dreams too.”
As he sees it, O’Bryant had a few chances to make it, one being after the very first NBA lockout in 1995 which lasted three months. He had spent the year playing basketball in Bratislava, Slovakia. During the season, O’Bryant flew to the Bay Area to attend the Golden State Warriors camp. He did not make the team and decided to finish the season in Bratislava where he was awarded MVP of the Slovak Basketball League. His team also won the inaugural “Slovak Cup” in his only year there.
“It was really tough for them to defend a point guard that was so quick,” says Eathan. “I was one of maybe less than 2% of Americans under 6ft tall that played in Europe.”
After his stint in Slovakia, O’Bryant had been invited to join the world-renowned Harlem Globetrotters and traveled to 14 different countries with them, something he never saw himself doing as a child.
The life of a Globetrotter was similar to that of an NBA player, but O’Bryant likes to think his job had a little more meaning.
“The Globetrotters allowed me to travel the world with basketball as my vehicle. I’ve taken the O’Bryant last name out of Walker County, Texas, which is where I’m from, and I’ve taken it global.”
“I’ve done newspaper interviews, TV, radio all around the world; China, Australia, Europe, you name it. The O’Bryant name is somewhere, in print, all around the globe. I’d like to think — I’d like to hope — that my grandfather, whom I’ve never met, would be so proud of that. O’Bryant is much bigger than Walker County, Texas.”
After retiring from the Globetrotters, Eathan made his way back to Reno.
“He spent years with the Harlem Globetrotters,” says Dave Gentry, a friend of O’Bryant’s. “So, when he got back to Reno, it’s like the natural transition was to youth and basketball. He’s really enjoyed that market.”
According to O’Bryant, his love for the City of Reno has never wavered.
“I’ve always said Reno is an acquired taste, right? Once you acquire it, there’s nothing better. I wish more former Wolfpack athletes would stay in Reno and make it home.”
He also attributes his love for the city to the sheer amount of communal support throughout. He mentions companies like the Eldorado, the late Don Carano. He also speaks of Western Nevada Supply, and the Reviglio Family. They are constant acts of kindness.
“I saw this and thought, I want to be a part of this.”
Since moving back, O’Bryant has been a part of numerous committees as well as supervising club basketball teams: Kids Kottage, The Children’s Cabinet, Renown’s Health Board, and The University of Nevada Athletic Association Board. He also manages the Nevada Basketball Academy (NBA), a development program centered around female athletes.
O’Bryant’s charitable acts don’t necessarily go unnoticed either. It’s rare to find a local who hasn’t heard of him and the good he has done for the community.
Camille Iglesias, director of Kids Kottage, sat down to discuss O’Bryant’s impact on the home for at-risk children.
“Eathan, in the last 10 years, has been a huge part in supporting the Kids Kottage, engaging with at-risk youth, and getting kids involved in being active, not only in basketball.”
She points out how O’Bryant has always done a great job mentoring and engaging with the children and how he still keeps in touch with some of the kids he has impacted.
O’Bryant eluded to why he spends so much time helping others.
“My dad died when I was 6. I grew up with 6 other siblings, my mom didn’t even see me play until I was a senior in high school because she was always working,” says O’Bryant. “You know the effects that can have on a young person, and you try your best not to allow that to happen to any kids in the future.”
That generosity is felt through everyone he comes in contact with.
“You know, I don’t want to give him too much credit,” says Gentry. “But I think he’s just generally a good person. He gets a lot out of that and people are just attracted to the guy.”
O’Bryant remembers only ever wanting two things.
“I know the options I’m given when I wake up every morning. The almighty will guarantee you two things: a chance, and a choice. Your choices are going to affect your chances, and you’re just going to have to live with that.”
He’s gone to bed hungry. He’s lived without power. But now, he rides in private jets, sits ringside for big fights.
“Just because you started there, doesn’t mean you have to end there.”
O’Bryant’s newest venture, Youth in Pursuit, is a foundation centered around “aspiring mothers and young fathers.” Being that he and his wife, Lydia, have three kids, they understand children and their needs. This is his first opportunity to “lead the charge” when it comes to the message he wishes to convey and the people he wishes to help.
With Youth in Pursuit, he wants to target any child, of any age, who needs assistance.
“It’s not about being black, white or brown. It’s not about rich or poor. We want to help all of it, whether you come from money or not.”
When asked to explain the mission of Youth in Pursuit, Gentry explained it as this:
“There are a lot of great resources for teen moms and a lot of other very worthy nonprofits. But there are a lot of young dads out there who get put in these situations and, honestly, they freak out because they don’t have the resources. We just want to make it cool, easy, and exciting to be in that position.”
Gentry says he is just as excited to get the project started as O’Bryant is.
“I really do see the need there and how it can help make an impact for future generations. We are excited about that part for sure.”
O’Bryant’s wholesome demeanor can be felt by almost every person he comes in contact with. Whether he’s offering to help you with something, giving advice, or just flashing a smile, his compassion for helping others radiates regardless.
