Bryant making the most of team-building technology
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Building team chemistry in the summer is essential for any college basketball team, but especially for the eight new Bulldogs who join the Bryant University men's basketball program for the upcoming season.
But how do the newcomers get to know their coaches and teammates while isolated everywhere from Pawtucket to Portland during a pandemic?
Zoom calls – much more enjoyable Zoom calls than the ones being held by offices across the country.
Unlike the dreary video conferences that have become a staple of Corporate America in 2020, the Bulldogs are gaining knowledge and enjoying their time in front of a computer screen.
It helps that the guests on Bryant's calls are more fun than the topics others trudge through with a lukewarm coffee. They have included two-time NBA Champion Norris Cole, Milwaukee Bucks assistant (and Bryant alum) Josh Longstaff, and former Iona coach Tim Cluess, who went to six NCAA Tournaments in the 2010s.
The insight gained from these leaders and champions in the game has been valuable for Bryant's newcomers as they prepare for their first season in Smithfield.
"I really enjoyed hearing from Norris Cole," said junior Darius Guinn (Portland, Ore.) "He had a killer work ethic that made him Player of the Decade in the Horizon League, and to hear about challenges he overcame to reach the NBA and win championships as someone who came from Cleveland State was cool to experience from him personally."
The digital interaction of the 16 Bryant student-athletes hasn't been limited to the calls organized by third-year head coach Jared Grasso and his staff. The eight newcomers and eight returners are making the most of technology to get to know their fellow Bulldogs better.
"The calls have shown that we all share a love for the game and will do whatever it takes to be a successful team," said sophomore Luke Sutherland (Syracuse, N.Y.) "Every one of us works relentlessly at our game and we all know we will be ready for when we arrive on campus."
Unfortunately, basketball chemistry, familiarity sharing the floor, and learning Coach Grasso's system are not things that can be accomplished over a WiFi connection. If they were, there would have been 357 head coaches investing in video conferencing platforms this spring.
It will take an eventual return to Smithfield for the Bulldogs to get back in the Chace and get to work on preparing for the November 10 season opener in the state capital.
The newest Bulldogs relish that opportunity to lace up their sneakers and put on the Black & Gold for the first time – even if it is practice gear.
"I'm looking forward to getting on campus, getting to know my teammates better, and meeting people on campus," said Guinn. "The experience of playing basketball at Bryant will be exhilarating. Playing games on national television and having a following are things I dreamed of in my youth. I'm excited to be a Bryant Bulldog."
With the 2020-21 season less than five months away, everyone involved with the Bryant program is excited to go from 16 rectangles on their laptop screens to 16 Bulldogs on campus.
Follow Bryant University men's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get an inside look at the program and for updates on schedule and ticket information for the 2020-21 season.