The journey home: Bryant Mocaby reflects on his career after eclipsing the 1,000-point mark
The journey home: Bryant Mocaby reflects on his career after eclipsing the 1,000-point mark
From Kansas to Kentucky and back again, Mocaby has no regrets: "I am where I’m supposed to be.”
Since 2019, the Bethel men’s basketball program has served as the home of current senior forward Bryant Mocaby, even though the 450-student private college in North Newton is a far cry from his original landing spot after graduating from one of the largest high schools in Kansas.
As a transfer from Northern Kentucky University, an NCAA Division I school, Mocaby has made a huge impact from the moment he stepped foot on Bethel’s campus. He’s a Sunflower State native, graduating from Derby High School in 2018 after transferring from Goddard High School.
He was recognized as all-AVCTL all four years, All-State, and reached his first 1,000-point milestone his junior year. He also competed in the state tournament, where his Derby squad ended up taking fourth place.
He then went on to play at Northern Kentucky for the next two years. He made it to March Madness — the NCAA’s massive end-of-season Division I tournament — his freshman year, but due to the onset of COVID-19, his team didn’t return to the tournament his sophomore season.
Then, after a coaching change during the period of uncertainty, Mocaby ultimately made the decision to enter his name in the transfer portal. Bryant’s brother, Jared — who was already playing for Bethel at the time — assisted him through the transfer process.
He had some higher-level offers while in the portal, but Bryant said, “I believed in Artaz and Artaz believed in me. I have no regrets; I am where I’m supposed to be.” He also mentioned that Artaz has had an enormous impact on his career at Bethel, developing him from a shooter to more of an all-around scorer.
“He’s helped me become who I am today.”
On Jan. 7, Mocaby captured his second 1,000-point mark, this time at the collegiate level in his career at Bethel. He acknowledges that his teammates played a big role in his reaching of this milestone because of how they pushed him to success and held him accountable when he wasn’t playing his best. “They make my job easier, all I had to do was put the ball in the basket,” Mocaby said. “So, all the credit goes to them.”
Jared Richardson, one of Bryant’s teammates, spoke with excitement for Mocaby. “He’s truly a great player,” Richardson said. “He’s been a role model throughout his time as a Thresher.” Head Coach Jayson Artaz says he loves coaching Bryant because “of how selfless he is and the effort that he gives.”
“He’s truly a great player. He’s been a role model throughout his time as a Thresher.”
Jared Richardson on teammate Bryant Mocaby
Artaz also mentioned that Mocaby fits well in the culture of his program — and has been bought in since the day he arrived at Bethel. “[Mocaby] reaching 1,000 points is a testament to not only his ability but also his toughness.”
This achievement, understandably, means a lot to Mocaby when he speaks about it in terms of his career at Bethel — but, in line with Artaz’s characterization of Mocaby, he makes it clear that he’s more excited about the team's success over the years.
“The team’s success, in my eyes, has made this milestone even better,” he said. “[But] when I look back when I’m older, [I like that] I’ll be able to say that I achieved this milestone in my collegiate career.”