Greg Whittington
July 23, 2020
Michael Bryson
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 30/09/94
- Place of Birth: Sacramento, California (USA)
- Position: GRD
- Height (CM): 193
- Weight (KG): 91
- Junior Assoc:
- College: UC Santa Barbara (2012–2016)
NBL CAREER OVERVIEW
NBL DEBUT
8/10/16
Age 22
LAST NBL GAME
20/10/16
Age 22
TEAM HISTORY
1 seasons | 1 team- 2017SK
Sydney Kings1 season
CHAMPIONSHIPS
NoneBIO: Michael Bryson was born in Sacramento, California (USA).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Michael Bryson made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 22 years of age. He scored five points in his first game.
After finishing last with a 6-22 record in 2015/16, Sydney appointed Australian basketball icon Andrew Gaze as head coach on a three-year deal and rebuilt the roster. Josh Childress and Al Harrington were not re-signed, while Angus Brandt (to Perth), Marcus Thornton, Rhys Carter and Jordan Vandenberg also departed. Tom Garlepp, Jason Cadee, Jeromie Hill and Julian Khazzouh returned, while reigning NBL MVP and Best Defensive Player Kevin Lisch (via Illawarra) turned down a contract extension with the Hawks to accept a more lucrative three-year deal with Sydney which made him the highest-paid player in the NBL. Brad Newley (via Gran Canaria) and Aleks Maric (via Obradoiro) were also added, while Lisch becoming an Australian citizen in March allowed Sydney to use all three import positions. Gaze and Kings general manager Jeff Van Groningen added Michael Bryson (via UC Santa Barbara), Greg Whittington (via Sioux Falls) and Josh Powell (via Luoyang Zhonghe), with Powell signed on the eve of the season as Khazzouh continued rehabilitating the quadriceps injury which ultimately ruled him out for the entire year. Craig Moller (via Ballarat) and Bo Liu (via Shenzhen) joined as development players, while Lisch was appointed captain.
Bryson signed with Sydney on August 6 for the 2016/17 season after completing the NBA Summer League with Phoenix and working out for Boston and Sacramento before the NBA Draft. He had finished his college career as UC Santa Barbara’s all-time leader in made three-pointers, including a school-record nine in one game.
“As a Californian kid, growing up following our version of the Kings – in Sacramento – I’m excited now to be coming to Australia to play for the Sydney Kings. Can’t wait for the opportunity.” Gaze said, “As much as our coaching staff love what Michael brings to the Kings on the floor, we have been even more impressed with the feedback we have received about his personality and his character.” Van Groningen added, “His overall athleticism, commitment to the defensive end of the floor and open court explosiveness is something that was great to see in person. He possesses a deep three threat and has shot at a really good clip over the four years of his NCAA career. We are looking forward to the way he’ll complement our Kings squad.”
His best game came in his NBL debut against Brisbane at Qudos Bank Arena on October 8, where Bryson (5 points and 1 rebound) came from the bench for almost 20 minutes and made two of eight shots, including one three-pointer. Lisch (20 points and 3 steals) and Hill (14 points and 3 blocks) led Sydney, while Daniel Kickert (17 points and 4 assists) was Brisbane’s leading scorer as the Bullets defeated the Kings 77-73.
Bryson (1.8 points across 4 games) came from the bench in all four appearances and made only three of 17 field-goal attempts. He did not miss games through injury or illness, with his short season instead ending because Sydney released him after he struggled to make an impact in the Kings’ rotation.
Five days after the opener, Bryson (0 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, and 1 block) played nine minutes as Sydney defeated Illawarra 88-84 at the WIN Entertainment Centre for Gaze’s first NBL victory. Cadee (20 points and 5 assists) and Lisch (20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led the Kings, while Marvelle Harris (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) was Illawarra’s best. The win was followed by Sydney’s locker-room celebration video going viral and added to the excitement surrounding the rebuilt Kings.
Bryson’s final appearance came in Auckland on October 20, where Bryson (0 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 block) provided a chase-down rejection during his 14 minutes as Sydney defeated New Zealand 92-78. Whittington (22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Powell (17 points) led the Kings, while Thomas Abercrombie (17 points) was New Zealand’s leading scorer as Sydney collected its third consecutive win and moved to 3-1 and outright first on the ladder.
Bryson (released) was cut the following day, beginning the major changes through Sydney’s import combination, and 13-year NBA veteran Steve Blake (5.9 points across 9 games) (via Detroit) was signed as his replacement. Dion Prewster (0.9 points across 17 games), who had initially remained with Sydney as a practice player before becoming Khazzouh’s temporary injury replacement, was subsequently retained on the 11-man roster for the remainder of the season. Blake was later granted indefinite compassionate leave (to United States) to be with a seriously ill family member and did not return. Moller (3.3 points across 13 games) was promoted from his development-player position to the full roster, while Garrett Jackson (3.8 points and 3.5 rebounds across 6 games) (via North-West Tasmania) was signed on December 22 after playing in the state league and spending time training with the Kings. Tony Tolovae (0 points across 1 game) then suffered a season-ending ankle injury, creating another roster position for William McDowell-White (2.1 points across 7 games), who joined as a development player after committing to Fresno State but being unable to gain NCAA clearance.
Newley (17.6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.2 steals across 23 games) led Sydney in scoring, with Lisch (16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals across 27 games) providing the other major offensive threat. Cadee (13 points and 3.2 assists across 28 games), Whittington (11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 28 games), Powell (9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds across 27 games), Garlepp (5.6 points across 28 games) and Maric (5.4 points and 4.7 rebounds across 28 games) completed the main rotation. Newley and Lisch were selected to the All-NBL Second Team, with Newley winning the Kings’ MVP and Members Player of the Year awards, Lisch named the club’s Defensive Player of the Year and Maric receiving the Mike Wrublewski Most Inspirational Player award. Sydney reached 8-4 on November 19 but went 5-11 from there and lost nine of its final twelve games.
With Bryson no longer on the roster, Sydney travelled to Perth Arena on February 10 needing a victory to keep its playoff hopes alive, where Newley (19 points) and Cadee (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Kings, while Casey Prather (29 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) carried Perth to a 101-74 victory, leaving Sydney seventh with a 13-15 record.
Michael Bryson played one season in the NBL. He averaged 1.8 points, 1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 4 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 22 | Sydney | 13-15 (7) | 4 | 56 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 17 | 18% | 1 | 8 | 13% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 21% | 21% | 5 | Totals | 4 | 56 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 17 | 17.6% | 1 | 8 | 12.5% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.2058823529 | 0.2058823529 | 5 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 22 | Sydney | 13-15 (7) | 4 | 14.0 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 4.3 | 18% | 0.3 | 2.0 | 13% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 21% | 21% | 5 | Total | 4 | 14.0 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 2.8 | 0.75 | 4.25 | 17.6% | 0.25 | 2 | 12.5% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.2058823529 | 0.2058823529 | 5 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Prior to the 2016 NBA draft, Bryson worked out with the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, and Philadelphia 76ers.
In the NBA Summer League, he competed for the Phoenix Suns.
He was also selected by the Northern Arizona Suns with the eighth pick in the 2016 NBA Development League Draft and signed with the team.
Bryson played in 46 games for the Suns and averaged 5.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
In October 2017, he was traded to the Iowa Wolves along with Elijah Millsap and the eighth pick in the 2017 G League Draft in exchange for the rights to Zach Andrews and the Wolves No.1 pick in the draft.
Bryson finished second to DeQuan Jones in the 2018 G-League Slam Dunk Contest.
Bryson averaged 70.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per game for the Wolves.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
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Mexico
- Rayos de Hermosillo2017–2018
- Astros de Jalisco2023–2024
- Plateros de Fresnillo2024–2025
- Gambusinos de Fresnillo2025
Canada
- Guelph Nighthawks2021
Hungary
- Pécsi VSK-Veolia2021–2022
Venezuela
- Marinos de Anzoátegui2026
After four Australian NBL appearances for the Sydney Kings during October 2016, Michael Bryson continued his professional career in the American NBA G League and overseas. The earlier international biography incorrectly attributed an Élan Chalon French Pro A season and a succession of other European clubs to him. Neither Chalons historical 2016–17 roster nor the matching UC Santa Barbara/Sydney Kings guards RealGM international career record supports those appearances, so the incorrect itinerary has been removed from his verified playing history.
In the 2017–18 Mexican CIBACOPA season, Bryson appeared in 26 games for Rayos de Hermosillo, including 23 starts, averaging 18.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.2 minutes per game. He shot 51.0 percent overall, 33.1 percent from three and 74.1 percent at the line. His 26 matches were Mexican league games, not French Pro A appearances.
In the 2021 Canadian Elite Basketball League season, Bryson played six games for Guelph Nighthawks, including five starts, averaging 18.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.7 steals in 29.7 minutes. He converted 38.8 percent of his three-point attempts.
Bryson joined Pécsi VSK-Veolia for the 2021–22 Hungarian NB I/A season, making 19 domestic league appearances, including 16 starts. He averaged 16.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.9 steals in 30.8 minutes per game, shooting 47.7 percent overall, 41.9 percent from three and 86.4 percent on free throws.
In the 2023–24 Mexican CIBACOPA season Bryson played 48 games for Astros de Jalisco, starting every game and averaging 12.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steal in 25.8 minutes. He subsequently played in Mexicos LNBP for Plateros de Fresnillo in the 2024–25 statistical season, averaging 14.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 33 games, with 32 starts. The two Mexican league competitions are distinct.
In September 2025 Bryson appeared for Gambusinos de Fresnillo in the Mexican LNBP, with Scout Basketball documenting 12 league games; RealGM lists 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game for that sample. He also appeared for Marinos de Anzoátegui in Venezuela during the 2026 Superliga season. Scout Basketballs dated 2026 match logs and Latinbaskets 2026 calendar-season archive each record 18 Marinos games at 12.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 24.6 minutes. RealGM uses different international season-label conventions for this Venezuelan competition; the explicit 2026 game dates are preferred. No French club or league appearances are added without an identifiable contemporary roster or match log.
COLLEGE
Michael Bryson played college basketball at UC Santa Barbara from 2012 through 2016, developing into a four-year rotation guard for head coach Bob Williams and finishing his Gauchos career with 124 games played and 118 starts while averaging 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
As a freshman in 2012/13, Bryson appeared in 30 games and started 25, averaging 25.8 minutes per game while posting 8.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks per contest. He shot 38.6% from the field, made 46 three-pointers, and averaged 1.5 threes per game (46-of-142 from three), while UC Santa Barbara finished 11–20 overall and 7–11 in Big West play.
As a sophomore at UC Santa Barbara, Bryson posted 11.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
That sophomore season (2013/14) saw him start all 29 games, increase his role to 29.1 minutes per night, and deliver 11.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the floor and 41.7% from three (55-of-132). UC Santa Barbara went 21–9 overall and 12–4 in conference play, finishing second in the Big West standings.
Bryson averaged 13.9 points and 4.8 rebounds a game as a junior in 2014/15.
In that 2014/15 junior campaign, Bryson played 33 games with 32 starts and averaged 32.1 minutes, producing 13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.4% overall and 36.0% from three (68-of-189) and 85.4% at the free throw line. He set a single-season school record for consecutive free throws made with 34, and he delivered a notable scoring peak with a season-high 26 points against Cal State Northridge while going 5-for-7 from three on February 15, 2015. UC Santa Barbara finished 19–14 overall and 11–5 in Big West play (second in the league), reached the Big West Tournament semifinals, and also played in the College Basketball Invitational.
Bryson was named to the First Team All-Big West.
Entering his senior year, Bryson missed a game in November 2015 because he played in a unauthorized league in July.
As a senior, Bryson averaged 18 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
During the 2015/16 season, Bryson started all 32 games and averaged 33.8 minutes while posting 18.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game, with shooting splits of 47.9% from the field, 38.3% from three (72-of-188), and 82.1% at the line. He produced a career-high 36 points and 13 rebounds against Seattle on December 30, 2015 while hitting 9 three-pointers, a single-game UCSB record for made threes, and the same game also matched the program record for three-point attempts with 18. By late February 2016 he had become just the eighth player in school history to reach 1,500 career points, and he ultimately closed his career with 1,620 points, a total that placed him tied for sixth on UC Santa Barbara’s all-time scoring list.
He became the all-time leader in three-point makes for the Gauchos.
Across his four seasons, Bryson made 241 three-pointers on 651 attempts, with the 651 career attempts listed as the program record, and he finished his Gauchos tenure recognized for high-volume perimeter production while also contributing 593 total rebounds and 219 assists. UC Santa Barbara went 19–14 overall in his senior season and 11–5 in Big West play, advanced to the Big West Tournament semifinals, and also reached the semifinals of the eight-team Vegas 16 postseason event.
Bryson was named to the First Team All-Big West as a senior.
Related
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