Maybe the truly great ones simply refuse to allow themselves a
glimpse of what everyone around them sees: a leader, a friend and
someone who just makes things happen.

True greatness didn’t escape the Saint Louis University
Billikens after Marque Perry graduated. It grew.

As Perry lit up the floor, dazzling fans with impossible clutch
baskets and arousing cheers that bellowed through the Savvis
Center, Reggie Bryant sat quietly on the bench, internalizing
everything, waiting for his shot at greatness.

Bryant, a junior transfer from Villanova, sat out last season
due to NCAA transfer regulations, but he has wasted no time since
his return to the court in igniting the Billikens’ offense with his
trademark shot.

The Baltimore native spent two seasons at Villanova, but after
two NIT appearances, Bryant felt he needed something else.

“It was time for a change in atmosphere,” the 6-feet-2-inch
guard said.

“I needed a new start to gather my head, a different approach to
school, everything.”

Bryant and Brad Soderberg began courting each other, and soon,
Bryant was on his way to St. Louis.

He is happy every day that he made the transition.

The move to St. Louis took its toll at the onset, particularly
the difficulty of being halfway across the country from his family,
which Bryant deeply cherishes.

Bryant’s family, including his parents, older sister and his two
daughters, Daejah, 3, and Nikkya, 1, got a chance to see him play
live when the Billikens visited West Virginia University earlier in
the season.

When his family saw him play, they saw what Billiken fans have
grown to love watching: a talented player who refuses to admit how
good he is.

“I’m never satisfied with myself. I never see myself having a
great game, I only see room to get better,” Bryant said.

“I want to improve my all-around game, to be a threat on offense
and on defense.”

Bryant’s signature jump shot is already an offensive threat to
opponents. At Villanova, Bryant spent time watching Gary Buchanan
shoot the ball and adapted elements of Buchanan’s shot.

The result was a smooth shot with a sharp follow through that is
dead on, even with a swarm of defenders in his face.

Billiken coach Brad Soderberg calls Bryant one of the best
shooters he has ever coached and likes the role Bryant has assumed
on the Billikens.

Even though Bryant has a loud presence on the court, he
maintains a much quieter presence of the court. But that doesn’t
matter to Bryant. He doesn’t hear the cheers of the crowd and the
praises of his coach, he only sees an opportunity to continue to
grow as a player and a person.

“I’ve had great coaches who have helped me develop as a player
and a man,” Bryant said.

Bryant believes that Soderberg is one of these coaches and that
his leadership, combined with the talents of his teammates, makes
him believe that anything is possible for the Billikens.

“This team is on a rise. The sky is the limit for us,” Bryant
said. “We have a chance to be great.”