MATCHUP ZONE

Travon Bryant knows his way around a basketball court--and a personal computer.

He accesses Web sites quickly. And he can find all the words that have been written about him.

Numerous basketball-related Web sites list Bryant, a senior at Long Beach Jordan, among the best high school power forwards in the nation. Most of the material online concerns where he might attend college.

Bryant, only 16, is sometimes amused by what he reads. Other times, he scratches his head and wonders.

“It’s been crazy,” he said. “They put words in your mouth. You say you like one school and all of sudden, you’ve made a decision.

“I would say 60% of [what’s being written] is true.”

Bryant, 6 feet 8 and 245 pounds, has smooth moves and solid footwork that make his post-up game virtually unstoppable. He shoots well from the perimeter and his shot-blocking ability makes him a force on defense.

Last month, Bryant was named to the all-tournament team at the Reebok Prep Holiday Classic in Las Vegas. He is averaging 20 points and nine rebounds this season.

And so Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith visits the Bryant home. And Missouri’s Quin Snyder calls to see how Travon’s season is progressing. And Mike Krzyzewski wonders if he can add another heralded recruit to the Duke roster.

But unlike other top prep players who signed letters of intent in November, Bryant is in no hurry to pick one college over the other.

He has taken official visits to Kansas, Missouri, California and Kentucky. He is also interested in Duke.

Bryant--whose brother, D’Cean, is a senior forward for Long Beach State--said he might not make a decision until April.

“I wanted to give coaches the chance to see me,” he said. “When you’re in high school, you play in a structured offense.

“I want them to see me in a real environment. In the summer, it’s run and shoot and you’re kind of going for your own stats.”

Jordan Coach Ron Massey met Bryant five years ago when Travon played on a youth team with Massey’s son, Anthony.

With a deep baritone voice and a stern courtside presence, Massey has driven Bryant to improve, even when the player didn’t want to be pushed.

“I knew Travon was going to be pretty good, but he was a little lazy,” Massey said. “I really didn’t think he was going to come to Jordan because I knew he didn’t want to listen to my sermons.

“I’m sure the first year there, he thought I was crazy. But I think he learned that I was only trying to help him because his brother would always preach about the same stuff.”

D’Cean Bryant wasn’t sure Travon would develop into the player he is now.

“It’s kind of funny because he was always looked at as this fat, pudgy kid growing up,” D’Cean said. “We all thought he would succeed in football or baseball.”

Travon began changing his body by cutting back on junk food. Instead of playing his favorite video game, he spent hours in the gym.

The turning point in his high school career came in May at an AAU tournament in North Carolina. Playing against a team led by current Florida freshman Darnell Harvey, Bryant scored 23 points and had 15 rebounds.

“After that tournament, I think it just inspired me to work hard and get to the top,” Bryant said.

As a freshman in 1996, Bryant watched Jeff Parris and Ortege Jenkins lead Jordan to a 28-4 record and a Southern Section championship. As a sophomore and a junior, he became a star in his own right.

Now, as a senior, he is the leader of a young team that has often played like one. But Bryant is still at Jordan after once thinking he’d be better off elsewhere.

“I thought I would be going to a different school, maybe to win more championships,” Bryant said. “But I think I’ve already established myself as a good player.

“Coach Mass has always supported me. He was there when I started out, and he’s always pushed me to work hard and do my best. I couldn’t leave him like that.”

Massey said that mind-set will enable Bryant to succeed in college.

“We had a talk two or three years ago about [Bryant’s possible transfer],” Massey said. “We’ve talked about the importance of making a commitment.

“Wherever he decides to go, he’s going to stick it out and stay there.”

D’Cean Bryant has set the example that Travon wants to follow.

“My mom [Sabra] and brother have always told me to take basketball and use it to get your education,” Travon said. “D’Cean got his degree. I want that to fall back on.”

D’Cean has often counseled Travon on the ups and downs of the recruiting process.

“I remind him that he’s got an opportunity that not everyone has,” D’Cean said. “It’s not even just guys across the nation or across the state.

“I tell him that there are guys in this city who are wishing that they were in your shoes.”

Travon understands that this is a special time in his young life. He also understands that his future can be special.

“It’s like a marriage,” he said of his upcoming college choice. “It’s a four-year commitment. This is the one time that I’m going to make this decision.”