In the modern era of Bridgeport High School basketball, he may be the most talented big man to grace the halls of the school situated off of Johnson Avenue. He was not only good enough to earn Class AAA first-team all state honors for two seasons, but he was also the West Virginia State Player of the Year during his final campaign in 2007-08.

 

Eight years later, the basketball journey of BHS alum Bryant Irwin continues. And the journey has been unique and well-traveled at both the college and even the professional level.

 

Many remember that Irwin was a Division-I signee of mid-major St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia from 2008 to 2010 before transferring to Furman. He completed his career there and graduated in 2013.

 

While that may have seemed a little bit of a whirlwind, what’s transpired in the last couple of years has been proof that Irwin’s love of the game didn’t end when his college playing career concluded. Instead, he played professionally in Columbia before having another professional tryout in Cyprus. From there, he was back to Columbia to compete professionally and then a four-month professional stint in Luxembourg.

 

Prior to his current gig, Irwin actually had a tryout with the NBA D-League, or development league. He made it to the final 16 of the Erie Bayhawks before getting cut.

 

“It was the last cut,” said Irwin. “It’s tough to be that close for sure.”

 

The situation didn’t stop Irwin from competing. However, it does have him trying to couple his love for the game with a profession. And right now, he’s doing both and working toward making that permanent.

 

As for competition, Irwin is now competing with the ABA – the American Basketball Association. Yes, it’s a spring off of the old ABA and they do indeed use a red, white and blue basketball.

 

“I’m playing for the West Virginia Wildcatz,” said Irwin. “We play against teams from Pittsburgh, New York, Charlotte … basically all over the east coast.”

 

And when they play at home, they play on the campus of Fairmont Senior High School.  Irwin said he wouldn’t mind seeing some familiar faces in the crowd and you can catch their schedule and information by visiting their Facebook page by clicking HERE.

 

Unlike his overseas excursions, the ABA is not a full-time gig. Irwin, now living in Morgantown with his brother, is doing two jobs and both – as one might expect – involve the  game of basketball.

 

Much of his work time is spent as a staff member of the Nate Smith Basketball School. Smith, a former Division I player who competed at Morgantown High School, is well-known throughout the region for teaching the game and Irwin has apparently caught the bug of passing his love of the game on to others.

 

“I’ve always lived and breathe basketball so to not be competing full time makes it a bit rough to be in that move-on phase,” said Irwin. “I think this is where I’m headed. My intentions were to play overseas again this year and had a few looks, but the money and situations weren’t right. I could have played in Finland, but the money wasn’t good and decided not to go so here I am.”

 

“Here” is primarily working with Nate Smith and Cody Loughery at Smith’s business. And that business is the type of business Irwin is getting used to and enjoying.

 

“We do lesson, camps, clinics and work with you teams. It’s all basketball training and fitness; it’s purely basketball and I’m okay with that,” said Irwin. “On top of that, working with Nate has shown me more than just how to do basketball training with others, he’s showing me how to run a business, how to deal with adults and how to work with different types of kids. I really like working with kids.”

 

That isn’t just lip service to get youngsters to sign up for Smith’s programs. He’s about to share the knowledge – and he’s going to share it with those locally.

 

“I’m getting ready to do my first real coaching. I’ll be on the AAU circuit coaching a team that will consist predominantly of Bridgeport Middle School eighth grade students as part of the West Virginia Prep Elite team,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it because this will be my first actual coaching experience where I’m running sets and and practices.”

 

All of this  is leading to what Irwin is wanting to do on a permanent basis. Along with with working with Smith, he’s also doing some individual training and is in the process of obtaining advanced athletic certification.

 

“That’s what I plan to do so I can train individuals at a higher level. I really enjoy doing the training and the goal is to get the proper certification that will get me working more into the strength and conditioning side of things” he said.

 

Right now, Irwin is studying to receive ACE (American Council on Exercise) certification. Irwin said it’s not simply on online test, but an actual set of serious  guidelines where to receive certification you have to go to an actual test site.

 

Until  that time comes and Irwin gets into it on a more full-time basis, he’ll continue  to compete for the Wildcatz along with fellow teammates such as Robert C. Byrd alum Steven Collins and Jonathan Logan from Fairmont Senior.

 

“It’s good playing again and the Wildcatz are the only team in West Virginia. I’ve had some good games, including getting 38 points, eight rebounds and eight assists against the Charlotte Dynasty,” said Irwin. “I’ve got that, some of the training that I’m doing and working with Nate and I’ll be coaching soon. It’s all basketball related so it’s all good.”

                                                                                                                      

For those wanting to hang out and learn from arguably the best big man in BHS basketball history – particularly the modern era that I’m familiar with – all you have to do is call Smith’s business. (304-225-6727).

 

“We don’t have a lot of people coming up from Bridgeport and Clarksburg so I’d love to be able to help,” said Irwin. “We’ll work with you in just about any manner you want and work with you in what is an ever-evolving game where nothing stays the same.”

 

Irwin’s journey is proof of that.

 

Editor's Note: Photos courtesy of Bryant Irwin.