Bryson Howard, the son of former ACC standout and NBA All-Star Josh Howard, is embarking on a path all his own—even if the spotlight from his father’s legacy shines down brightly. This spring, Bryson made waves across the Nike EYBL circuit, delivering jaw‑dropping performances that have captured the attention of college programs nationwide. And now, as Duke extends an offer, a new chapter is unfolding—one grounded in his own talent, grit, and ambition.
Standing at around 6‑foot‑6 and playing as a wing guard for Pro Skills Elite, Bryson has emerged as one of the most dynamic scorers on the EYBL’s U16 circuit. Three standout games where he exploded for 31 or more points have served notice: most recently, 31 points and six rebounds on 12‑for‑18 from the field in a dominant outing against Team Melo ([maxpreps.com][1]). Over three sessions, his averages of 20.9 points per game on 52.8 percent shooting from the field and a scorching 45.3 percent from beyond the arc have been elite. He also tops EYBL Pro Skills in rebounding at 5.6 boards per game, a remarkable stat line for a guard).
Though once flying under the radar, Bryson’s play has not gone unnoticed. He’s climbed into national recruiting rankings—currently #215 in the Class of 2026 and \~#18 in Texas according to On3, earning a three‑star rating and an 83.34 On3 Industry Rating . During his junior year at Heritage High School in Frisco, TX, he posted averages of 17.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, leading the Coyotes to a 32‑5 record and a berth in the Class 5A Division I state semifinals.
What’s fueling his meteoric rise are not just the numbers, but the quality of his game. Bryson is more than a scorer—he’s an aggressive rebounder, a versatile defender, and a player capable of creating off the bounce and shooting from deep. Observers have noted his defensive instincts and his versatility, as he routinely switches onto bigger players with smart positioning and long arms . In the spring EYBL sessions, he averaged 26.8 points per game with .423 3‑point shooting, along with 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 steals, reinforcing the view that he brings an impressive all‑around skill set.
These standout performances coincided with a cascade of scholarship offers. Bryson has earned at least 11 offers since mid‑May—including Georgetown, Houston, Memphis, Missouri, Oklahoma, SMU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A\&M, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest ([maxpreps.com][1]). Indiana has also extended a scholarship offer, with assistant coaches already in touch during the EYBL recruiting live period. Meanwhile, UK assistant coaches Alvin Brooks III and Mikhail McLean have contacted Bryson, signaling interest though no official offer is on the table—yet.
And now, the Duke Blue Devils have entered the mix. After scouts noticed Bryson’s combination of shooting, athleticism, length, and defensive instincts, Duke extended an official scholarship offer—a major milestone for any prospect. The Blue Devils’ longstanding reputation for developing elite wing talent—including numerous sons of college standouts—adds weight to the offer. Duke’s program, under head coach Jon Scheyer, has built a track record of coaching high‑defensive IQ players and wing scorers into NBA prospects, making Bryson’s recruitment even more intriguing .
For Bryson, landing an offer from Duke isn’t just another accolade—it’s validation of his own path. Yes, he’s Josh Howard’s son; after all, Josh was ACC Player of the Year at Wake Forest in 2003, a one-time NBA All-Star, and a ten-year NBA veteran known for his smooth scoring and athletic defense . Post-career, Josh has transitioned into coaching—currently leading the NAIA basketball program at University of North Texas at Dallas. But Bryson’s success signals something deeper: the younger Howard is forging his own identity, developing his own game, and earning respect on merit.
That said, history and mentorship are woven into his narrative. Growing up with a father who thrived in the ACC and then built a professional career has given Bryson a blueprint for success. Josh’s knowledge—on scoring, footwork, defense, dedication—is undoubtedly shaping Bryson’s development. To witness Bryson translating that foundation onto the EYBL stage, catching college eyes and stacking offers, is testament to both legacy and hard work.
Still, this is no guarantee of future stardom. Bryson remains unranked in consensus services, and recruiting analysts still see room for growth and consistency before he ascends to the top 100 or top 50 nationally. Duke’s offer signals belief in his potential, but the Wildcats, Hoosiers, Longhorns, Volunteers and others are ready with programs and resources to help him grow. His final decision will weigh playing style, fit, development, and future opportunity.
Another important part of this journey is context: many sons of ACC/Iconic program stars have, over decades, stepped into limelight—sometimes at their father’s alma mater, but often charting their own course . From Nolan Smith to Seth Curry at Duke, from Mark Alarie’s son to others around the country, we’ve seen both deep heritage loyalty and independent success. Bryson’s choice—Duke, Texas, Tennessee, or elsewhere—will add a new entry to that tradition.
What lies ahead for Bryson Howard: the upcoming months will shape recruiting visits, conversations with coaching staffs, official visits, summer play, and the continual process of refining his game. Maintaining or elevating his EYBL dominance—especially on a national stage—will be crucial. As he continues his senior season at Heritage, leadership, high‑stakes performances in playoff and invitational settings, and measurable growth in consistency and efficiency will define his draft and college fit buzz.
In many ways, Bryce is at a crossroads that blends past and future. There’s his father’s legacy—ACC Player of the Year, NBA All-Star, proven professional and coach. There’s the Duke offer—a major step toward elite college hoops. And there’s the work Bryson himself must continue: the off‑season grind, summer exposure, academic focus, and pure love of the game.
Yet for all that, Bryson’s current rise suggests he’s ready. On the EYBL courts, he has shown guts under pressure. With every 30‑point game and highlight reel defensive play, he’s made college coaches take notice. A guard of his size, athleticism, shooting, rebounding, and tenacity is rare—and increasingly valued in today’s position‑less basketball.
One can imagine Bryson watching his father’s old highlights—ACC domination in the early 2000s, NBA defense and scoring—then thinking, What can I make of this? Now, he’s crafting his own highlight reel, built on a foundation his father laid. The Duke offer is both reward and responsibility. It’s recognition that he’s worthy. But it also brings questions: Where does he belong? Where can he best develop? Which next step will he look back on and say, That’s when my path crystallized?
No matter his choice, Bryson’s story is already powerful: son of a basketball hero, rising through his own fire, earning elite recognition in his own right. His senior year is poised to be a final proving ground—leadership at Heritage, continued EYBL dominance, summer camps, recruitment visits. College programs across the country will be watching. Duke’s interest signals that he’s inside the circle for elite pathways.
Over time, Bryson could redefine what it means to carry a legacy. Will he be the next Howard to shine? Will he surpass his father’s college accolades, reach the NCAA tournament, maybe even lead a team to deep postseason runs? Will he rise toward professional aspirations? What seems clear is this: he’s not hiding behind his last name. He’s building his own. The Duke offer is not a full stop—it’s a powerful punctuation mark in a sentence still being written. And as Bryson Howard continues to fade defenses, chase rebounds, drill threes, and craft his identity, the basketball world stands by in anticipation.
Around next spring, we’ll know whether that sentence becomes a paragraph about Duke dominance, an introduction to a Texas legend, or a Tennessee tale of unexpected stardom. But the foundation is clear: Bryson Howard is stepping into his own spotlight—with eyes on the future, feet solidly on the court, and a name of his own making.
At the end of the day, Josh Howard once wrote a legacy with championships, All‑Star honors, ACC awards, and NBA seasons. This spring, Bryson has begun to write his own, one EYBL performance and one college offer at a time. Duke’s belief is a major milestone, but the journey continues—and the brightest chapters are still ahead.
