San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant unexpectedly went viral after a fan recorded him during a mid-game restroom break. The incident took place during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The 20-year-old Bryant was filmed in a restroom accessible to fans at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center. The video quickly spread online.
The clip shows Bryant washing his hands, while a “DEFENSE!” chant can be heard. Legion Hoops aggregated the video on X, garnering 4.4 million views as of Friday evening.
Champagnie Defends Bryant
Bryant’s Spurs teammate Julian Champagnie addressed the video. He was asked about it on Friday ahead of Game 3 in San Antonio.
“Personally, I wouldn’t want to be recorded in the bathroom,” Champagnie said. “He had to go to the bathroom; I don’t know what else he was supposed to do. He had to go to the bathroom. He went to the quickest one. So I don’t think anything’s wrong with it.
“I think, if anything, we should stop recording people in the bathroom.”
Champagnie added, “Thank you, guys.”
Privacy Concerns for NBA Players
Champagnie, a 24-year-old wing, was asked how he and other players deal with invasions of privacy. “I think CB (Carter Bryant) handled it great,” Champagnie said.
Champagnie continued, “He just washed his hands. Obviously, me knowing CB, I know that he can tell the kid’s recording him. But just wash your hands, get up out of there and just keep it pushing. There’s nothing really to say, nothing really to do. Cause if he does turn around and say anything, it’s going to be taken in a negative way.
“So it’s just something you have to — it’s what comes with it, honestly and truly. So it’s what it is.”
Bryant’s Performance on the Court
Bryant had made an impact in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, with a plus-minus of +10 as a defender. However, in Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he was put on skates by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Bryant and Champagnie are part of a mostly young Spurs rotation that’s returned the franchise to the doorstep of the NBA Finals. The group is ahead of schedule and undoubtedly well connected.