Elijah Bryant Knocks Down First NBA Shot With Milwaukee Bucks
May 16, 2021, 8:09 PM
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 16: Devon Dotson #3 of the Chicago Bulls drives to the basket over Elijah Bryant #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center on May 16, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU basketball star Elijah Bryant is capitalizing on his opportunity to play in the NBA. Bryant received his first game action as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night in Milwaukee’s regular-season finale against the Chicago Bulls.
Elijah Bryant entered the game with 5:49 remaining in the 1st quarter. Moments later, Bryant received an assist from Justin Jackson, then Bryant took care of the rest knocking down a three-pointer.
Bryant’s three-point make was from 27-feet and came with 5:29 remaining in the first quarter.
.@Elijah_Bryant3 scores his first points as a Buck!! pic.twitter.com/S0gLqqnHAd
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) May 17, 2021
Elijah Bryant signed a reported two-year contract with the Bucks this past week. Most recently, Bryant was playing in Israel for Maccabi Tel Aviv. After signing with the Bucks, Bryant wrote a letter thanking Maccabi for letting him pursue his NBA dreams.
God willing. The work has just begun. OCC. pic.twitter.com/fE1USN5EfE
— Elijah Bryant (@Elijah_Bryant3) May 14, 2021
“Thank you Maccabi! There is so much to be thankful for,” exclaimed Bryant in a social media post. “Israel has been my home away from home since I left college and I can’t express how much I’ve enjoyed it. These past two years with Maccabi have been amazing for me and my family.
“The opportunity to compete at the highest level in Europe has been unreal. I’ve learned so much from my coaches and teammates and I’m going to take all that knowledge to my new opportunity in Milwaukee.
Elijah's first shot as a Buck is a bucket. pic.twitter.com/FfSaT7FOH6
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) May 17, 2021
“Ever since I was four years old I’ve wanted to play in the NBA. Every day, every week, every month, and every year I worked toward goals to help me get there.”
The Milwaukee Bucks have clinched the 3-seed in the 2021 Eastern Conference Playoffs. Milwaukee will open the Playoffs against 6-seed and defending Eastern Conference Champion, Miami Heat, to begin the Playoffs.
Bryant is the first former BYU player to appear in an NBA game since Kyle Collinsworth appeared in 32 games during the 2017-18 season with the Dallas Mavericks.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
