‘Let’s run it back’: Joe Bryant Jr., Kris Bankston will return to Norfolk State for another season
Joe Bryant Jr., the reigning MEAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Year and conference tournament MVP, will return for another season at Norfolk State.
The former star at Lake Taylor High in Norfolk has guided the Spartans to back-to-back MEAC Tournament championships and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
“Playing pro basketball has definitely been my dream since I was young,” Bryant said in a video posted on social media Thursday. “But before that time comes, I have more I want to accomplish. Let’s run it back.”
Also this week, Kris Bankston —a 6-foot-9 forward known for his thunderous dunks — announced he would return for an additional season with the Spartans.
“We are excited about the return of Joe Bryant and Kris Bankston,” NSU coach Robert Jones said in a statement. “They were our two biggest recruits this offseason. Arguably one of the best duos in all of mid-major basketball, we are lucky to have them in green and gold. Behold!”
Bryant, a 6-1 guard, has played in 110 games the past four seasons, scoring 1,179 career points. The NCAA granted athletes an extra year of eligibility after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the 2020-21 season.
Bryant has played a key role during NSU’s postseason success the past two years. The Spartans went 41-15 during that stretch, with two MEAC Tournament championships — their first tournament crowns since 2012. Bryant was the tournament MVP during both title runs.
Last season, Bryant led the MEAC with 519 points and was second in scoring average at 16.7 per game while adding 5.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists. His 91.5% free-throw percentage broke his own school mark, and he was named to the Lou Henson Mid-Major All-America Team.
Bankston, after playing three years at Little Rock, averaged 11 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in his first season with the Spartans last season. He was a second-team All-MEAC selection and shot 71% from the field.
The Spartans finished the season 24-7 and, as a No. 16 seed, lost to No. 1 Baylor in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
Jami Frankenberry, 757-446-2376, jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com
