"Stay vibrant. Stay charismatic."
We had a chance to sit down with UC Santa Barbara senior guard, Michael Bryson. The Gaucho who leads the conference in points per game (18.7) shared his leadership style, his favorite philosopher and the kind of legacy he'd like to leave behind at UCSB.
| LEGACY ON THE COURT |
- 2015-16 Media Preseason All-Big West Team
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- 2015 First Team All-Big West
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- 2014 Honorable Mention All-Big West
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- 2013 All-Big West Tournament Team
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- Set program record with 34 made free-throws in 2015
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- Active Big West career leader with 1,323 points
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- Fourth Gaucho in program history to accumulate 200 career three-pointers (Just 22 shy of setting a new UCSB mark)
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(On leadership style)
“The big thing for me is leading, trying to show the guys what to do and if they make a mistake, getting into them but reassuring them for the next play. We have a lot of young guys so you have to learn how to adapt to them and what they respond to. That’s a big thing as a leader, learning how to get the most and the best out of your team without discouraging them. Letting them know early that it’s serious.”
“Growing up I’ve learned that everyone isn’t the same and you have to respond differently to every player. Learning what makes [the team] kick and what makes the respond is a pivotal part of being a leader. Having them stand behind you instead of dragging them with you. It helps to have people pushing you as you’re pushing them.”
(On how the game changed with Alan Williams’ graduation)
“It was time to step up and be a big scorer, a big rebounder — pick up the areas that left with [Alan Williams] when he went to China. But, we’ve had a lot of young guys come in and really step up and be ready to play as soon as they got here with Max [Kupchak] and Jarriesse [Blackmon]. All of these guys give us really good minutes.”
(On role this season)
“I think the biggest change for me was really just stepping up and really trying to act like a professional since that’s what I want to be. Really trying to be an artist at my craft — really trying to master it and develop my game and develop my team’s game to in order for us to have the best chance in March.”
(On mentality)
“Treating it as it is, a business. You go to the game and it’s a business trip every time. Every time you go somewhere you’re trying to handle business.”
(On what will make the Gauchos the last team standing at Honda Center)
“Our heart. This year we’ve gone through tough times with John [Green] going out and battling injuries. I think we’re having a pretty rough start to the year so I think that we’re battling through it. We’re still at an uphill climb, but I think we’re figuring it out right now. Our chemistry and our friendships that we’ve built this year are going to be what keep us together.”
(On adversity)
“The challenges reveal your character. It’s easy to be happy when you’re winning, it’s really hard to be when you’re losing and it’s really hard to stay positive when you’re losing. So the ability to stay positive with each other during rough times is what’s going to make us pul through.”
(On whether studies as a philosophy major plays a role on the court)
“My coach would be upset because he says I philosophize about too much, but I’d say it’s extremely relevant. Just for the outlook. Being able to stay positive and being able to view things differently allow for me and for my team to stay vibrant and stay charismatic and stay with energy. Be able to come in the next day and play. We’re able to wash away the bad loss or the bad practice and understand that tomorrow’s a new day and to make the best of it.”
(On favorite quote)
“Ball is life?”
(On favorite philosopher)
“[George] Berkeley. I like his argument on God existing. He has a different outlook on the world and the way it works and the way that things are interpreted, understanding the world for the way it is instead of trying to make more of it. I really connect with his writings.”
(On mentality translating to the court)
“It allows me to stay in the game. I understand that every play isn’t going to make or break the game, but being able to make up for the plays I mess up on, and being able to stay poised during the plays you do well on. Staying the course and understanding that it’s a 40-minute game and it’s a long season so if you stay the course, you’re bound to find the right path and get to the destination that you want.”
(On legacy at UCSB)
“I want them to think of me, how I was as a person, charismatic and really trying to help anyone when I can. Kind. All of these good qualities that I hope to share when I’m on the court and when I’m off the court. As a basketball player you have titles and records and all of these accolades you can gain, but as a person I think that’s really what you leave behind. The type of character that you leave with the team. If I can leave that type of character-building-feel with the team, that’d be the greatest legacy I think I could do.”
Story by Olivia Phelps (@OliviaGPhelps).