Bulldogs add first signee of 2010

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State men's basketball coach Rick Stansbury has announced his first signee of the 2009-10 class, standout guard Brian Bryant.

The 6-foot-3, 165-pound Albany, Ga., native is currently a sophomore at Northwest Florida State College, where he has guided his team to a 5-0 start and is averaging 20 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists, while shooting 41 percent from 3-point territory.

Last year as a freshman, he was limited due to a hand injury.

"We're excited to have Brian join the Mississippi State family," 12th-year MSU coach Rick Stansbury said. "He brings a lot of athleticism and versatility and can play multiple positions. He comes from a great junior college and has been coached by one of the best coaches in the country. His adjustment will be minimal because of the system he has played in."

Prior to enrolling at Northwest Florida, previously known as Okaloosa Walton, Bryant prepped four years at Dougherty High School, where he led his team to two regional titles and four playoff appearances.

As a senior, he averaged 29.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.6 steals and 3.6 assists en route to garnering team MVP honors and earning Albany Herald Play of the Year honors for the second-straight season.

He was also selected to play in the Georgia North-South All-Star Game.

"He is the complete package of talent, athleticism, character and work ethic," 13th-year Raiders coach Bruce Stewart said. "He is a winner."

Bryant chose MSU over Auburn and Southern Miss.

"I feel this is a great fit for me because they are losing a senior starting guard in Barry Stewart," Bryant said. "I loved the athletic and academic facilities, and my goal was to play in the SEC."

Bryant is the fifth NWF State College men's player to head to the SEC in the last three seasons, following in the footsteps of Auburn's Tay Waller and Johnnie Lett, Alabama's Charvez Davis and South Carolina's Johndre Jefferson.

He's also the second player MSU signed from Northwest Florida, as he joins forward Branden Vincent, who played for the Bulldogs from 2003-04.