TTM Stats
- Sent: 11/6/2021 | Received: 4/14/2022 | 158 Days
- ’92 Star Pics, ’94 Upper Deck (2)
- Address: Old Dominion University (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Bryant Stith may not be a household name in the NBA, but his steady contributions as a player and his deep commitment to the game make him one of basketball’s underrated stars. Known for his grit, leadership, and work ethic, Stith carved out a successful career both on and off the court.
Born on December 10, 1970, in Emporia, Virginia, Bryant Stith’s basketball journey began early. He excelled at basketball in high school, earning accolades that caught the attention of college scouts. Stith chose to attend the University of Virginia, where he quickly made his mark as one of the school’s all-time greats.
Stith played for the Virginia Cavaliers from 1988 to 1992, and his impact on the program was profound. He became the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,516 points, a record that stood for years. Stith’s leadership on the court was undeniable, and he earned multiple All-ACC honors during his collegiate career, including the ACC Rookie of the Year in 1989.
His ability to score, rebound, and defend made him one of the most complete players in the ACC. In his senior year, Stith was named the ACC Player of the Year runner-up, cementing his legacy as one of Virginia’s finest. He also helped the Cavaliers with the 1992 NIT Championship and was the NIT MVP.
After his standout college career, Stith was selected 13th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1992 NBA Draft. He joined a young Nuggets team and quickly established himself as a solid contributor. Known for his defensive prowess and scoring ability, Stith became a key player in Denver’s rotation. Stith’s best years came during the mid-1990s, where he consistently averaged double digits in points per game. His leadership and poise were crucial during the Nuggets’ famous 1993-94 playoff run, when Denver became the first No. 8 seed in NBA history to upset a No. 1 seed (the Seattle SuperSonics). Stith was a steadying presence on that team, bringing defensive intensity and clutch scoring.
Injuries, however, began to take their toll on Stith in the late 1990s, limiting his time on the court. After eight seasons with Denver, he was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2000, where he played two seasons before a final stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. While his NBA career didn’t include All-Star appearances, Stith’s dedication and resilience earned him respect from teammates, coaches, and fans.
After retiring from professional basketball in 2002, Stith turned to coaching, where his knowledge and passion for the game made an immediate impact. He started by coaching his sons in high school, helping them develop their own basketball careers, before moving on to college coaching.
In 2013, Stith joined Old Dominion University as an assistant coach, a role that allowed him to mentor young players and teach them the game that had given him so much. His approach to coaching emphasized discipline, teamwork, and respect for the game—values that he had embodied throughout his playing career.
The Score on Bryant Stith – 6.0
Not that anything ever has to have any rhyme or reason, but I always wonder what makes people sign cards differently. In this case Bryant included “Best Wishes” on one card but not the other. Not that it’s a big deal either way. I love that Star Pics cards because that was an era where I really followed college basketball closely. There were some pretty good players at Virginia around that time.
Thanks Mr. Stith! I’m giving this return a 6 overall.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Basketball Reference.